BMS111 Lab 10: Histology Overview and Revision

Flashcards covering microscopy techniques, cytoplasmic organelles, nucleus structure, mitosis, epithelium types, specializations, and connective tissue components based on Lab 10 Histology notes.

Microtome

The equipment used to section samples to a thickness of $5-8 \text{ micrometers}$ for light microscopy using steel blades.

Ultramicrotome

The equipment used to section samples to a thickness of $50-100 \text{ Nanometers}$ for electron microscopy using glass or diamond blades.

Cryostat

A laboratory instrument used to section samples using the freezing technique.

Transmission electron microscope (TEM) photo

A photo that shows the internal structure of the specimens in 2D.

Scanning electron microscope (SEM) photo

A photo that shows the surface structure of the specimens in 3D.

Phase contrast microscope

A microscope used to show internal structures of living cells to study processes like cell division, movement, and growth.

Atomic force microscope

A microscope that provides sharp scanning of the sample surface and determines mechanical properties.

Confocal microscope

A microscope that uses laser for high resolution and clarity, providing better detail than standard microscopes.

Trilaminar appearance

The characteristic appearance of the cell membrane under TEM, consisting of $2 \text{ dark layers}$ and $1 \text{ pale layer}$.

Rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER)

A cytoplasmic organelle consisting of parallel flattened cisternae with attached ribosomes.

Smooth endoplasmic reticulum (sER)

A cytoplasmic organelle consisting of anastomosing tubular cisternae without attached ribosomes.

Primary lysosomes

Lysosomes characterized by a homogenous appearance.

Secondary lysosomes

Lysosomes characterized by a heterogeneous appearance.

Nissl’s bodies

Basophilic bodies in the cytoplasm of nerve cells that represent free ribosomes and ribosomes attached to the rER.

Centrioles

Hollow cylindrical structures made up of $9 \text{ TRIPLETS}$ of microtubules.

Heterochromatin

The condensed form of chromatin in the nucleus.

Euchromatin

The extended form of chromatin in the nucleus.

Prophase

The stage of mitosis where the nucleolus and nuclear membrane disappear and chromatin condenses into chromosomes.

Metaphase

The stage of mitosis where chromosomes align at the equatorial plate and attach to the mitotic spindle via astral microtubules.

Anaphase

The stage of mitosis where chromosomes break at the centromere and sister chromatids move to opposite sides of the cell via polar microtubules.

Transitional epithelium

A type of epithelium found in the urinary bladder with two or three layers where superficial cells are round and bulge into the lumen.

Mucous acini

Glandular structures with pale cytoplasm and basal flat nuclei.

Serous acini

Glandular structures with basal basophilia, apical acidophilia, and rounded nuclei.

Mixed acini

Glandular units composed of mucous acini with serous demilunes.

Microvilli

Finger-like apical projections covered by cell membrane with a core formed of actin filaments.

Terminal web

A network of filaments (often actin) at the base of microvilli that anchor them.

Motile cilia axoneme

The shaft organization of cilia consisting of $9 \text{ peripheral doublets}$ and $2 \text{ central microtubules}$ ($9 \times 2 + 2$).

Non-motile (primary) cilia axoneme

The shaft organization of cilia consisting of $9 \text{ peripheral doublets}$ with no central microtubules ($9 \times 2 + 0$).

Tight junction (occluding junction)

A lateral specialization with intracellular attachments to actin filaments.

Macula adherens (desmosomes)

A junction requiring intermediate filaments (keratin) and dense plaques for intracellular attachment.

Hemidesmosomes

Basal specializations that anchor the cell to the basal lamina using integrin and tonofilaments (keratin).

Pericyte

A branching cell with a large vesicular nucleus that partially surrounds the endothelium of capillaries and is enclosed by basal lamina.

Active Fibroblast

A branched connective tissue cell showing enlarged, euchromatic nuclei with nucleoli and basophilic cytoplasm.

Macrophage

A connective tissue cell characterized by surface folds, many lysosomes, and a kidney-shaped nucleus.

Mast cells

Oval or rounded cells with basophilic granules that change the color of toluidine blue from blue to purple or red (metachromasia).

Plasma cells

Oval cells with deeply basophilic cytoplasm, a negative Golgi image, and a cart-wheel or analogue clock face appearance of the nucleus.

Unilocular adipocytes

White adipose tissue cells with a single, large lipid droplet and a flat, peripheral nucleus, often called a 'signet ring appearance'.

Multilocular adipocytes

Brown adipose tissue cells containing many lipid droplets of variable sizes and a spherical nucleus.

Collagen fibers

Connective tissue fibers that show cross-banding with axial periodicity/striations under TEM.

Elastic fibers

Fibers composed of elastin and fibrillin microfibrils.

Reticular fibers

Short branching fibers that form an irregular anastomosing network and are stained black with silver stain.

Dense regular connective tissue

Connective tissue with parallel, regularly arranged collagen bundles and fibroblasts, such as in a tendon.