Unit 1 Lab Techniques Flashcards
Define affinity
The degree to which a substrate is attracted and tends to bind to another
Define affinity chromatography
A technique used to separate and purify proteins based on a specific binding interaction between the ligand and its binding partner
Define an antigen
A specific protein with which antibodies can bind in an immune response
Define aseptic technique
Procedures in place to prevent contamination including sterilising equipment and work surfaces
Define bright field microscopy
Microscopy commonly used to observe whole organisms, parts of organisms, thin sections of dissected tissue or individual cells
Define a buffer
A solution used to set and maintain a particular pH
Define centrifugation
A process that uses centrifugal forces to separate components of different densities in a mixture
Define a chromatography
A technique used to separate different substances; it has a stationary phase that the mobile phase moves through, carrying the substance being examined; different distances are moved by substances of differing solubilities
Define a colorimeter
A device used to measure absorbance of specific wavelength of light by a solution
Define a culture media
A nutrient rich gross medium providing their basic requirements for cell growth (amino acids glucose salt water as well as specific growth factors for animal cell lines)
Define fluorescence
The emission of light of different wavelengths to that which was absorbed
Define fluorescence microscopy
A microscopy technique that uses specific fluorescent labels to bind and visualise certain molecules or structures within cells or tissues
Define gel electrophoresis
A technique used to separate samples of nucleic acid and proteins by size; introduced to a gel they move through it due to an electric current smaller fragments travel further than larger fragments
Define growth factors
Proteins that promotes cell growth and proliferation
Define a haemocytometer
Microscopic grid used to estimate the total number of cells within a sample (originally used to count red blood cells)
Define a hazard
Anything that poses a potential risk or threat to an individual or the environment
Define immunoassay
Technique used to detect and identify specific proteins; antibodies linked with reporter enzymes e.g. calls a colour change in the presence of specific antigen
Define inoculum
Starting material used to grow a culture from for example a bacteria cell culture
Define Isoelectric point (IEP)
The pH at which a soluble protein has no net charge and will precipitate out a solution
Fine linear dilution series
A series of delusions that differ by a constant proportion
Define log dilution series
A series of solutions that differ by equal intervals