BIO 215L Midterm Exam Study Guide | Lab Safety, Microscopy
& Microbiology Basics |Verified Questions Provided with A+
Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
Lab safety protocol
Guidelines for safety in the laboratory.
10% bleach
Solution used to clean the countertops before/after each lab.
Ubiquity
Existing everywhere.
Fomites
Microbial reservoirs or sources that play an active role in the spread of diseases.
Nosocomial infection
Diseases acquired from being around a hospital environment.
Bacterial colony
A cluster of closely packed cells that originates from a single cell.
Bacterial culture
The microbial cell growth on nutrient media.
Turbidity
A visual measurement of how 'cloudy' something appears.
Agar media plates inversion
Inverted to prevent condensation from dripping onto the bacteria.
Arm (microscope)
The portion of the microscope extending from the base which supports the objectives and the
oculars.
Base (microscope)
The portion of the microscope which rests on a surface and contains the light source.
, Clips (microscope)
The small metal pieces that hold the slide in place on top of the stage.
Coarse Focusing Knob
A knob that adjusts the focal plane in relatively larger increments.
Condenser
The device that concentrates light into the specimen and reduces light loss.
Fine Focusing Knob
A knob that adjusts the focal plane in relatively smaller increments.
Iris Diaphragm
The mechanical device on top of the condenser that regulates the light column illuminating the
specimen.
Light Source (microscope)
An electrically-powered bulb at the base of the microscope that provides illumination to the
specimens.
Parfocal
The capacity of an instrument to maintain focus regardless of the magnification used.
Rotating Nosepiece
The piece of a microscope that contains low- and high-power objectives and allows the user to
select between them.
Stage (microscope)
The movable platform where slides can be placed for observation.
Magnification/Total magnification
Take the objective lens magnification and multiply it by 10 (ocular lens) to get the total
magnification.
Resolution/ resolving power
The ability of a lens to resolve two independent points as discrete entities, dependent on the
wavelength of light used.
Simple vs. Compound Microscope
& Microbiology Basics |Verified Questions Provided with A+
Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
Lab safety protocol
Guidelines for safety in the laboratory.
10% bleach
Solution used to clean the countertops before/after each lab.
Ubiquity
Existing everywhere.
Fomites
Microbial reservoirs or sources that play an active role in the spread of diseases.
Nosocomial infection
Diseases acquired from being around a hospital environment.
Bacterial colony
A cluster of closely packed cells that originates from a single cell.
Bacterial culture
The microbial cell growth on nutrient media.
Turbidity
A visual measurement of how 'cloudy' something appears.
Agar media plates inversion
Inverted to prevent condensation from dripping onto the bacteria.
Arm (microscope)
The portion of the microscope extending from the base which supports the objectives and the
oculars.
Base (microscope)
The portion of the microscope which rests on a surface and contains the light source.
, Clips (microscope)
The small metal pieces that hold the slide in place on top of the stage.
Coarse Focusing Knob
A knob that adjusts the focal plane in relatively larger increments.
Condenser
The device that concentrates light into the specimen and reduces light loss.
Fine Focusing Knob
A knob that adjusts the focal plane in relatively smaller increments.
Iris Diaphragm
The mechanical device on top of the condenser that regulates the light column illuminating the
specimen.
Light Source (microscope)
An electrically-powered bulb at the base of the microscope that provides illumination to the
specimens.
Parfocal
The capacity of an instrument to maintain focus regardless of the magnification used.
Rotating Nosepiece
The piece of a microscope that contains low- and high-power objectives and allows the user to
select between them.
Stage (microscope)
The movable platform where slides can be placed for observation.
Magnification/Total magnification
Take the objective lens magnification and multiply it by 10 (ocular lens) to get the total
magnification.
Resolution/ resolving power
The ability of a lens to resolve two independent points as discrete entities, dependent on the
wavelength of light used.
Simple vs. Compound Microscope
