General Zoology Laboratory Reviewer Flashcards

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering General Zoology laboratory topics including microscope components and care, cell organelles and cell theory, diffusion and osmosis concepts, and metric conversions.

Microscope

An instrument used to magnify objects that are too small to be seen clearly with the naked eye.

Microscopy

The science of investigating small objects using a microscope.

Simple Microscope

A type of microscope that uses one lens.

Compound Light Microscope

A type of microscope that uses multiple lenses and visible light.

Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM)

A type of electron microscope used for high-resolution imaging of internal cell structures.

Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)

A type of electron microscope used for detailed imaging of object surfaces.

Base

Mechanical part of the microscope that supports the microscope.

Arm

Mechanical part that connects the body to the base; used for carrying the microscope.

Body Tube/Head

Mechanical part of the microscope that holds the eyepiece and objectives.

Revolving Nosepiece

Mechanical part of the microscope that holds the objective lenses.

Stage

Platform where the slide is placed on a microscope.

Stage Clips

Mechanical parts that hold the slide in place on the stage.

Mechanical Stage

Mechanical component that moves the slide precisely across the stage.

Coarse Adjustment Knob

Mechanical knob that moves the stage rapidly for rough focus; should only be used under low power.

Fine Adjustment Knob

Mechanical knob that sharpens the image; used under high power.

Eyepiece (Ocular Lens)

Optical component of a microscope, usually providing $10\times$ magnification.

Objective Lenses

Optical lenses that magnify the specimen directly.

Scanner Objective

Objective lens providing $4\times$ magnification.

Low Power Objective

Objective lens providing $10\times$ magnification.

High Power Objective

Objective lens providing $40\times$ magnification.

Oil Immersion Objective

Objective lens providing $100\times$ magnification.

Condenser

Optical part that focuses light onto the specimen.

Iris Diaphragm

Optical part that controls light intensity hitting the specimen.

Illuminator

The light source of the microscope.

Total Magnification Formula

$$\text{Total Magnification} = \text{Eyepiece} \times \text{Objective Lens}$$

Cell Theory

Fundamental theory stating: 1. All living organisms are made of cells; 2. The cell is the basic unit of life; 3. All cells come from pre-existing cells.

Nucleus

Cell organelle that controls cell activities.

Nucleolus

Structure inside the nucleus that produces ribosomes.

Nuclear Membrane/Envelope

Structure that helps to maintain the shape of the nucleus and assists in regulating the flow of molecules into and out of the nucleus through nuclear pores.

Nucleoplasm

Substance that supports and protects the inner parts of the nucleus, provides a space for chemical reactions, and helps move vital materials like enzymes and nucleotides where they need to go.

Ribosomes

Cellular organelles responsible for protein synthesis.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum

Organelle responsible for protein transport.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum

Organelle involved in lipid synthesis and detoxification.

Golgi Body / Complex / Apparatus / Dictyosomes

Organelle that packages and modifies proteins.

Mitochondria

Organelle that produces ATP; known as the powerhouse of the cell.

Lysosomes

Organelles that digest wastes and old organelles.

Peroxisomes

Organelles that break down fatty acids and detoxify harmful substances.

Vacuoles

Organelles used by the cell for storage.

Vesicles

Membrane-bound sacs that transport materials within or out of the cell.

Cytoskeleton

Network of protein filaments that maintains cell shape.

Centrioles

Structures that organize microtubules, help form the mitotic spindle during cell division, and act as basal bodies to build cilia and flagella.

Centrosome

The primary microtubule-organizing center (MTOC) in animal cells; organizes cellular microtubules, builds the mitotic spindle to separate chromosomes during cell division, determines cell shape and polarity, and acts as a base to form cellular appendages like cilia and flagella.

Cytoplasm

The fluid medium inside the cell where chemical reactions take place.

Cell Membrane

A selectively permeable barrier surrounding the cell.

Diffusion

Movement of particles from an area of high concentration to low concentration until equilibrium is reached.

Osmosis

Movement of water molecules across a selectively permeable membrane from low solute concentration (high water concentration) to high solute concentration (low water concentration).

Hypotonic Solution

A solution with lower solute concentration; water enters the cell, causing it to swell (animal cells may undergo lysis, plant cells become turgid).

Hypertonic Solution

A solution with higher solute concentration; water leaves the cell, causing it to shrink (animal cells undergo crenation, plant cells undergo plasmolysis).

Isotonic Solution

A solution with equal solute concentration; no net movement of water occurs, and the cell remains the same size.

Metric System

A measurement system based on the decimal (base $10$) number system.

Scientific Notation (Large Numbers)

Standard Form to Scientific Notation conversion where the decimal is moved left, counting places moved to form a positive exponent (e.g., $4,850 = 4.85 \times 10^{3}$).

Scientific Notation (Small Numbers)

Standard Form to Scientific Notation conversion where the decimal is moved right, counting places moved to form a negative exponent (e.g., $0.0000485 = 4.85 \times 10^{-5}$).