Review of Microscopy and Staining

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture on microscopy and staining.

Anton Van Leeuwenhoek

A scientist known for developing microscopy, who discovered small living creatures in rainwater.

Micrometer (um)

A metric unit of length equal to 10^-6 meters.

Nanometer (nm)

A metric unit of length equal to 10^-9 meters.

Angstrom (A)

A metric unit of length equal to 10^-10 meters.

Prokaryotes

Microorganisms lacking a distinct nucleus, typically ranging from 0.5 to 2.0 um.

Virus size range

Viruses range from 10 nm to 100 nm in size.

Microscopy purposes

Initial detection and identification of microbes in microbiology.

Brightfield microscopy

A method that uses light to visualize specimens through transillumination.

Objective lenses

Lens systems used in microscopy, commonly including low power, high dry, and oil immersion lenses.

Darkfield microscopy

A method that creates high-contrast images without the need for stains, ideal for viewing live specimens.

Phase-contrast microscopy

A method that amplifies phase differences in light to visualize internal details of specimens.

Fluorescent microscopy

A technique that uses fluorescent dyes to visualize specimens under UV light.

Electron microscopy

A microscopy method that uses electron beams to visualize specimens, capable of seeing individual viral particles.

Wet mounts

A preparation method where specimens are viewed in a drop of liquid on a slide.

Staining

The application of dyes to specimens to enhance visibility under a microscope.

Positive stain

A type of dye that is absorbed by the cells or organisms being observed.

Negative stain

A type of dye that is absorbed by the background but not by the cells or organisms observed.

Simple staining

A technique using a single dye, resulting in all organisms appearing the same color.

Differential staining

A technique that distinguishes organisms based on their interactions with multiple stains.