Microscopy, Cell Theory, and Cell Biology Review

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering microscopy concepts, cell theory history, prokaryotic vs eukaryotic distinctions, cell organelles, and plant and animal tissue classification tissues types/tissues based on lecture notes.

Microscopy

The science of investigating small objects using a microscope.

Magnification

The process of enlarging the appearance of an object.

Resolving Power

The ability to distinguish two structures as separate, where higher resolution provides better clarity and detail.

Light Microscope

A microscope that uses bent visible light to enable viewing, offering an advantage for observing living organisms.

Transmission Electron Microscope

A type of electron microscope that passes an electron beam through thin specimen sections to form a 2D image with high magnification and resolution.

Scanning Electron Microscope

A type of electron microscope where specimens are coated with gold to reflect electrons, forming a 3D image.

Eyepiece

The microscope lens that a user looks through, typically providing a magnification of $10\times$.

Revolving Nosepiece

A rotating turret holding multiple objective lenses allowing users to switch between scanning ($4\times$), LPO ($10\times$), HPO ($40\times$), and oil immersion ($100\times$).

Coarse Adjustment Knob

A microscope control used to move the stage up and down rapidly in big increments.

Fine Adjustment Knob

A microscope control used for precise, smaller movements and sharp focusing.

Condenser

A microscope part positioned beneath the stage that focuses and concentrates light onto the specimen.

Diaphragm

A shutter-like mechanism below the condenser that controls the amount of light to adjust contrast and resolution.

Hans & Zacharias Janssen

Scientists who built the 1st primitive microscope that magnified images between $3\times$ and $10\times$.

Robert Hooke

Scientist who improved the microscope using 3 lenses and stage light, observed cork from oak bark, and coined the term cells.

Francesco Redi

Scientist who disproved Aristotle's theory of spontaneous generation using his maggot experiment.

Anton Van Leeuwenhoek

First scientist to see and describe microorganisms as animalcules from a water drop using a self-made microscope.

Matthias Schleiden

Botanist who concluded that plants are made up of cells and that the cell is the basic unit of life.

Theodor Schwann

Zoologist who concluded that animals are made up of cells and proposed that every living organism consists of 1 or more cells.

Rudolf Virchow

Scientist who proposed that cells come from pre-existing cells and contain hereditary material passed through cell division.

Spontaneous Generation Theory

Theory by Aristotle proposing that living creatures could arise from nonliving matter regularly and routinely.

Prokaryotic Cell

A cell lacking a nucleus or membrane-bound organelles, containing circular DNA in a nucleoid region, derived from Greek pro (before) and karyo (nucleus).

Eukaryotic Cell

A nucleated cell containing internal compartments and organelles, derived from Greek eu (true) and karyo (nucleus).

Hopanoid

A sterol-like lipid component found in prokaryotic cell membranes.

Peptidoglycan

The main component of prokaryotic cell walls that provides protection and prevents cells from bursting due to excess water absorption.

Pili

Hair-like proteinaceous projections on bacterial cells that enable adhesion to objects, DNA transfer, and motility.

Mitosis

Cell division process that makes 2 identical body cells for growth and repair.

Meiosis

Cell division process that makes 4 unique sex cells (gametes) for reproduction.

Plasmid

Extrachromosomal circular DNA found in prokaryotic cells.

Nucleosome

A eukaryotic structure formed by DNA coiled around histone proteins.

Fluid Mosaic Model

Model describing the plasma membrane structure, where fluidity is maintained by natural viscosity and components like lipids, proteins, and cholesterol.

Nuclear Envelope

A double membrane structure covering the nucleus with nuclear pores regulating passage of ions, molecules, and RNA.

Nucleolus

A structure located inside the nucleoplasm that produces and assembles ribosomes.

Ribosomes

Cellular structures that synthesize proteins using signals received from the nucleus.

Mitochondrion

The powerhouse of the cell and site of cellular respiration, containing its own DNA and ribosomes.

Centrosome

The microtubule-organizing center near the nuclei of animal cells containing a pair of centrioles involved in cell division.

Peroxisome

An organelle that breaks down fatty acids and amino acids while detoxifying poisons and alcohol.

Lysosomes

Organelles containing enzymes that break down proteins, polysaccharides, lipids, nucleic acids, and worn-out organelles.

Phagocytosis

The cellular process of cell eating.

Pinocytosis

The cellular process of cell drinking.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum

Organelle serving as the site of protein modification and phospholipid synthesis for cell membranes.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum

Organelle that synthesizes carbohydrates, lipids, and steroid hormones, while detoxifying medications and proteins.

Golgi Body

Organelle that sorts, tags, packages, and distributes lipids and proteins.

Chloroplast

Plant organelle containing thylakoids, stroma, and chlorophyll that carries out photosynthesis and has its own DNA and ribosomes.

Microfilaments

Long fibers of actin protein that facilitate cell and organelle movement, provide rigidity, and help change cell shape.

Intermediate Filaments

Cytoskeletal fibers that bear tension to maintain cell shape and anchor the nucleus and organelles in place.

Microtubules

Helically arranged globular tubulin proteins that resist compression and form spindle fibers to move chromosomes.

Goblet Cells

Specialized cells found in simple columnar epithelium that secrete mucus.

Chondrocytes

The specialized cells located within cartilage.

Fibroblast

A fiber-forming cell found in dense connective tissue.

Irritability

A property of nervous tissue that allows sensitivity and responsiveness to various stimuli.

Conductivity

A property of nervous tissue that enables transmission and conduction of electrochemical signals.

Astrocytes

Star-shaped central nervous system cells that support and control the chemical environment around neurons.

Microglial Cells

Ovoid central nervous system cells that can transform into phagocytic macrophages to clean neuronal debris and wastes.

Ependymal Cells

Ciliated central nervous system cells lining the central cavities of the brain and spinal cord.

Oligodendrocytes

Central nervous system cells responsible for producing the myelin sheath around nerve cell fibers.

Schwann Cells

Peripheral nervous system cells that surround all nerve fibers and produce the myelin sheath.

Satellite Cells

Peripheral nervous system cells that surround the cell body of a neuron.

Vascular Cambium

Lateral meristem tissue that gives rise to secondary xylem (wood) and phloem.

Cork Cambium

Lateral meristem tissue that gives rise to cork cells which replace the plant epidermis once mature.

Guard Cells

Specialized epidermal structures regulating the opening and closing of stomata for gas exchange.

Trichomes

Hair-like outgrowths on leaves and stems that prevent water loss and reflect excess light.

Parenchyma

Ground tissue cells with thin primary cell walls that perform photosynthesis, respiration, gas exchange, and starch storage.

Collenchyma

Ground tissue cells with unevenly thick primary walls that provide elastic support without interfering with growth.

Sclerenchyma

Ground tissue cells with rigid secondary walls containing lignin that provide inelastic support to non-growing plant parts.

Xylem

Vascular tissue composed of tracheids and vessel elements that transports water from roots to shoots.

Phloem

Vascular tissue composed of sieve tube elements and companion cells that transports dissolved organic compounds produced during photosynthesis.