BIOLOGY LAB MIDTERM

Eyepiece

The part of a compound light microscope through which the viewer looks to see the magnified image.

Objective lenses

Lenses that are closest to the specimen and provide different levels of magnification.

Stage

The flat platform where the slide with the specimen is placed in a microscope.

Light source

The part of a compound light microscope that illuminates the specimen for better visibility.

Focus knobs

Controls that adjust the focus of the microscope to clarify the image.

Bacilli

Rod-shaped bacteria.

Cocci

Round-shaped bacteria.

Staphylococcus

Clustered cocci that form grape-like structures.

Streptococcus

Chain of cocci, resembling a string of beads.

Spirilla

Spiral-shaped bacteria.

Prokaryotic Cells

Cells that are smaller and have a single-loop chromosome.

Eukaryotic Cells

Larger cells that contain linear chromosomes.

Glycolysis

The metabolic process in which glucose is split into pyruvate, producing a small amount of ATP.

Preparatory reaction

The process in the middle of mitochondria where pyruvate is converted to acetyl-CoA and CO2.

Citric acid cycle

The process in the matrix of the mitochondria where acetyl-CoA is completely broken down to CO2, producing a small amount of ATP.

Electron transport chain

The final step of cellular respiration occurring in the inner membrane of mitochondria that requires O2, producing H2O as a byproduct.

Compound Light Microscope

A type of microscope that uses visible light and a system of lenses to magnify images of small samples.

Pathogens

Microbes that cause disease.

Opportunistic Pathogens

Microbes that may cause disease only when the host's immune system is compromised.

Communicable Disease

A disease that can be spread from person to person.

Non-communicable Disease

A disease that is not spread from person to person.

Cellular Respiration

The process of breaking down glucose to produce ATP.

Denaturation of Enzymes

A process where enzymes lose their structure due to factors like high temperature, pH, or salinity.

Glucose

A simple sugar that is an important energy source during cellular respiration.

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants convert carbon dioxide and sunlight into glucose and oxygen.

Carbon Sink

A natural environment that absorbs more carbon dioxide than it releases.

Chlorophyll a

The main photosynthetic pigment that absorbs blue and red light.

Chlorophyll b

A photosynthetic pigment that absorbs light in the yellow/green spectrum.

Carotenoids

Pigments that are red, orange, or yellow and assist in photosynthesis.

Stomata

Small openings on the surface of leaves that allow gas exchange.

Xylem

Vascular tissue in plants that transports water and minerals from the roots.

Phloem

Vascular tissue in plants that transports sugars and nutrients.

Isotonic Solution

A solution with the same solute concentration as the cell.

Hypotonic Solution

A solution with a lower solute concentration than the cell, causing the cell to swell.

Hypertonic Solution

A solution with a higher solute concentration than the cell, causing the cell to shrink.

Biologically Important Molecules

Molecules essential for life, including carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and nucleic acids.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

The primary energy currency of the cell, produced during cellular respiration.

Photosynthesis Components

Key elements include sunlight, water, carbon dioxide, and chlorophyll.

Starch Test

A test using iodine to show if starch is present, turning black/blue if present.

Protein Test

A test where biuret solution turns purple if protein is present.

Fat Test

A test using Sudan IV powder which shows red if fat is present.