Biology Microscopy Techniques Quiz

A slide preparation technique where a thin slice of a solid specimen is placed on a slide and a cover slip is placed on top. This allows light to pass through the specimen for viewing under a light microscope.

A slide preparation technique where a wet specimen is suspended in water or immersion oil on a slide and a cover slip is placed on top. This allows light to pass through the specimen for viewing under a light microscope.

A slide preparation technique where a soft specimen is placed on a slide with a drop of water and squashed between the slide and a cover slip. This allows light to pass through the specimen for viewing under a light microscope.

A slide preparation technique where a body fluid specimen is smeared across a slide with the edge of another slide. This creates a thin, even coating that allows light to pass through the specimen for viewing under a light microscope.

A dye used to stain cell walls purple. It is used in Gram staining to differentiate between bacteria with different cell wall structures.

A dye that stains the nuclei of animal cells blue. It makes the nuclei darker and easier to see under a microscope.

A negative stain that is not taken up by the cell. It colors the background, providing a contrast between the cell and the background.

How many times bigger the image of a specimen is compared to the actual (real-life) size of the specimen. It is calculated by dividing the image size by the actual size.

A slide with a calibrated scale in micrometres used for measuring microscopic objects.

A disc with divisions placed in the eyepiece of a microscope, used for estimating the size of objects.

The process of aligning the stage micrometer with the eyepiece graticule to determine the real size of a measured object.

A specialized cell wall in plant cells, composed of cellulose, which provides structural support.

Channels that connect adjacent plant cells, allowing for communication and transport.

Organelles in plant cells responsible for photosynthesis, converting light energy into chemical energy.

A large, central compartment in plant cells containing cell sap, important for storage and turgor pressure.

A thin, flexible layer that surrounds all cells, controlling the exchange of materials between the cell and its environment.

The ability to distinguish between two separate points. In other words, the minimum distance apart two objects must be to appear as separate.

A microscope that uses visible light to illuminate and magnify a specimen. It's a classic way to visualize cells and other tiny organisms.

A microscope that uses a beam of electrons to illuminate and magnify a specimen. These microscopes provide much higher magnification and resolution than light microscopes.

The lens closest to your eye when looking through the microscope. It typically has a magnification of 10x.

A set of lenses located near the specimen on a microscope. Each objective lens has a different magnification.

This is simply multiplying the magnification of the eyepiece lens by the magnification of the objective lens used in the microscope.

The cell membrane is a phospholipid bilayer, containing hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails, and embedded proteins. This structure determines what substances can enter and exit the cell based on their size and solubility.

The nucleus is the control center of the cell, responsible for cell division, development, and all cellular activities. Only eukaryotic cells have a nucleus.

The nuclear envelope is a double membrane that separates the nucleus from the cytoplasm. It has pores that allow the passage of large molecules like mRNA and ribosomes out of the nucleus and enzymes like DNA polymerases and signaling molecules in.

Chromatin is a complex of DNA and protein found in the nucleus. It condenses to form chromosomes during cell division.

The nucleolus is a region within the nucleus where ribosomes are produced and assembled.

Mitochondria are surrounded by a double membrane with an infolded inner membrane called cristae. The matrix, containing enzymes for aerobic respiration and ATP production, is found within the inner membrane.

Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell, responsible for aerobic respiration. They use carbohydrates and other respiratory substances to produce ATP, the cell's energy currency.

Ribosomes are found in the cytoplasm of all cells and on the rough endoplasmic reticulum of eukaryotes. They are responsible for protein synthesis.

The Golgi body acts like a cellular packaging and processing center. It gathers, modifies, and packages proteins and lipids, then sends them off in vesicles called Golgi vesicles. These vesicles can also be used to create lysosomes, specialized compartments containing digestive enzymes.

Lysosomes clean up the cell by breaking down debris. They contain enzymes that hydrolyze, or break down, unwanted materials like old organelles, dead cells, and bacteria.

Microtubules are tiny tubes made of protein that form the cytoskeleton, providing shape and support to the cell. They also play an important role in cell movement. During cell division, microtubules make up the spindle, a structure that helps separate chromosomes.

Centrioles are made up of microtubules and are involved in forming the cytoskeleton, contributing to cell structure. Two centrioles arranged at right angles form a centrosome, which directs the formation of spindle fibers during cell division.

Cilia are hair-like projections that move substances across the cell surface. They are made of microtubules and their whip-like motion helps to move things like mucus.

Flagella are long, whip-like structures made of microtubules. They are responsible for cell movement, like the movement of sperm cells.

Microvilli are finger-like extensions of the cell membrane that increase the surface area for absorption. They're found in cells that need to take in nutrients efficiently.

Chloroplasts are the sites of photosynthesis in plant cells. They contain chlorophyll, a pigment that captures light energy. They're surrounded by a double membrane and have stacks of thylakoids, which are responsible for the light-dependent stage of photosynthesis. The stroma, the fluid surrounding the thylakoids, contains enzymes for the light-independent stage.

A large compartment in plant cells, surrounded by a selectively permeable membrane called the tonoplast. It stores substances like ions, sugars, and pigments, and plays a role in maintaining cell turgor pressure.

The membrane surrounding the large permanent vacuole in plant cells. It regulates the movement of substances in and out of the vacuole.

A cell that lacks a true nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. Their DNA is located in the cytoplasm.

A cell that has a well-defined nucleus and various membrane-bound organelles. Their DNA is enclosed within the nucleus.

A non-cellular infectious particle consisting of a nucleic acid core (DNA or RNA) and a protein coat called a capsid. They can only reproduce by infecting living cells.

A protein coat that encloses the genetic material (DNA or RNA) of a virus.

An outer layer found in some viruses, composed of a phospholipid bilayer and glycoproteins. It helps the virus attach to and enter host cells.

The process by which viruses reproduce by using the host cell's machinery to create more viral particles.