mid term exam 1407

Microscope and Organism Study

Microscope Overview

• Review for Mid-Term (1407):

  • Prepare for 8 questions that will cover:

    • Anatomy of various microscope components (objective lenses, eyepiece, stage, and light source).

    • Concepts of magnification include calculating total magnification (objective lens magnification multiplied by eyepiece magnification).

    • Understanding the field of view and how it changes with different magnifications.

Slide Characteristics

• Study the following organisms:

  • Trypanosome sp.: Protozoan parasite responsible for diseases such as sleeping sickness; notable for its whip-like flagella.

  • Bacillus subtilis: A Gram-positive bacterium often found in soil; serves as a model organism and is used in laboratory studies.

  • Penicillium sp.: A genus of fungi known for its role in the production of antibiotics, particularly penicillin; recognizable by its blue-green mold appearance.

  • Ulva sp.: Commonly known as sea lettuce; a green algae that plays an important role in coastal ecosystems.

  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Yeast species used extensively in baking and brewing; significant for its role in fermentation processes.

  • Staphylococcus epidermidis: A Gram-positive bacterium part of the normal skin flora; important in medical contexts as it can cause opportunistic infections.

  • Plasmodium vivax: A protozoan parasite that causes malaria; has complex life cycles involving human and mosquito hosts.

  • Forams: Protozoans with chambered shells; used as bioindicators of environmental change in paleoclimatic studies.

  • Escherichia coli: A common bacterium found in the intestines of humans and animals; some strains are pathogenic while others are beneficial.

  • Nostoc sp.: Cyanobacteria known for nitrogen fixation; found in aquatic and terrestrial environments.

• Understand the differences between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including cell wall structure and implications for antibiotic susceptibility.

Plant Features

• Know the characteristics of:

  • Cycads: Ancient seed plants with a crown of large, stiff leaves; often mistaken for palms, they are primarily found in tropical regions.

  • Ginkgoes: Distinctive tree species known for fan-shaped leaves; resistant to pollution and disease, with historical significance in Chinese culture.

  • Conifers: Woody plants that produce cones; includes pines, firs, and cedars; adaptations allow them to thrive in cold environments.

  • Gnetophytes: Diverse group of seed plants with unique features; includes genera such as Ephedra and Gnetum, which show characteristics of both gymnosperms and angiosperms.

Taxonomy of Key Groups

• Understand the features of key taxa within the plant kingdom:

  • Charophyta: Green algae considered the closest relatives to land plants, often studied for clues in plant evolution (e.g., spirogyra).

  • Bryophyta: Non-vascular plants including hornworts, mosses, and liverworts that play essential roles in ecosystem hydrology.

  • Coniferophyta: Vascular seed plants (e.g., cedar, firs, cypress) adapted to various land environments, notable for their reproductive cones.

  • Monilophyta: Includes ferns and horsetails, known for their complex life cycles involving sporophytes and gametophytes.

  • Anthophyta: Flowering plants that exhibit diverse forms and structures; crucial for biodiversity and ecosystems; characterized by flowers and fruit.

Flower Anatomy

• Compare the distinct characteristics of Monocots vs. Dicots:

  • Monocots: Typically have one seed leaf, parallel leaf venation, and floral parts in multiples of three.

  • Dicots: Have two seed leaves, branched leaf venation, and floral parts in multiples of four or five.

• Identify and label flower parts and shapes:

  • Funnelform, Tubular, Cruciform, Rotate, Ligulate (specific shapes of flowers that serve different ecological roles).

• Label root structures and understand their functions (e.g., taproot vs. fibrous root systems).

Measurement Conversion

• Be prepared to convert units commonly used for microscopic organisms (micrometers to millimeters, etc.). This is critical for accurately interpreting data in lab work.

3D Models

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• Be familiar with creating/authenticating models of various cellular and multicellular organisms like Paramecium, Euglena, and Amoeba to visualize their structures and functions.

Botany and Lab Skills

3D Models of Plant Structures

• Develop detailed models of plant structures to represent:

  • Root systems: Understand their importance in nutrient absorption and anchoring plants.

  • Flower anatomy: Note the arrangement and functionality of reproductive structures.

  • Fern leaf structures and their reproductive significance.

  • Bacterial shapes: Cocci, bacilli, spirilla, and understand their relevance in microbiology.

  • Viral shapes and structures such as capsids and their implications for infectivity.

Botanical Concepts

• Understand different Fruit types (e.g., fleshy vs. dry) and their roles in seed dispersal.

• Familiarize with the Pine Life Cycle: from seed germination to mature trees, including the significance of cones in reproduction.

• Study Seed Dispersal methods including wind, water, animal, and ballistic dispersal practices, understanding their ecological significance.

Data Analysis Skills

• From Objective 1 lab study, be proficient in identifying statistical concepts such as:

  • Mean: The average value in a data set.

  • Median: The middle value when data is arranged in order.

  • Mode: The most frequently occurring value in a data set.

  • P-value: A measure that helps determine the significance of results in hypothesis testing.

• Review lab exercise questions thoroughly from your composition notebook to prepare for practical assessments in lab work.