Definition and overview of a plant cell Plant cells are multicellular eukaryotic cells that make up a plant (a group of eukaryotes belonging to the Plantae kingdom, with the ability to synthesis their own food using water, Sunlight and CO2). … Read more
Plants and animals are made up of millions of cells and these cells have several similarities and differences. Considering that they are both eukaryotic cells, which means they have a true nucleus, that is enclosed and separated from other organelles … Read more
Definition of plant cell Plant cells are eukaryotic cells, that are found in green plants, photosynthetic eukaryotes of the kingdom Plantae which means they have a membrane-bound nucleus. They have a variety of membrane-bound cell organelles that perform various specific … Read more
Introduction Giemsa stain was a name adopted from a Germany Chemist scientist, for his application of a combination of reagents in demonstrating the presence of parasites in malaria. It belongs to a group of stains known as Romanowsky stains. These … Read more
Overview of microscope Having been constructed in the 16th Century, Microscopes have revolutionalized science with their ability to magnify small objects such as microbial cells, producing images with definitive structures that are identifiable and characterizable. So, what are microscopes? Microscopes … Read more
Microsporum spp are dermatophyte fungi that cause cutaneous infections of the nails, hair, and skin, known as dermatophytosis. They are ascomycetous molds producing macroconidial spores which are distinct for these group of dermatophyte, distinguishing them from other dermatophytes such as … Read more
Lactophenol Cotton Blue (LPCB) Staining is a simple histological staining method used for the microscopic examination and identification of fungi. Principle of Lactophenol Cotton Blue (LPCB) Staining Lactophenol Cotton Blue (LPCB) Staining method works on the principle of aiding the … Read more
What is Aspergillus clavatus? Aspergillus clavatus is a pathogenic species of fungi, that produces mycotoxins that cause severe pulmonary disease, an allergic reaction commonly known as malt’s worker’s lung. They produce millions of very tiny spores known as conidia, that … Read more
Metaphase definition Metaphase is a stage of the cell cycle occurring in both mitosis and meiosis cell division processes. During metaphase in mitosis and meiosis, the chromosomes condense and they become visible and distinguishable during alignment at the center of … Read more
Trichophyton is a dermatophyte fungus classified along with Epidermophyton and Microsporum spp. Dermatophytic fungi are known to cause of dermatophytosis, a cutaneous infection of the skin, hair, and nails, in humans and animals. Trichophyton spp specifically causes tinea infections such as … Read more
Prophase Definition Prophase is the phase that follows the interphase and typically the first and longest phase in the cell cycle, for both mitosis and meiosis. It is the phase of DNA unwinding and chromatin condensation to make the chromosomes … Read more
What is Interphase? Cells continuously undergo cell division through which daughters cells arise which mature and also produce their own daughter cells and the cycle continues. The events of the cell cycle involve cell growth and cell division, of which … Read more
Alternaria spp Alternaria spp are a group of Ascomycete fungi that are known for their saprophytic nature in decomposing soil and plants. They are ubiquitous, found in soil, air, and plants. They have a clinical impact as well as, it … Read more
Introduction and History of the Confocal Microscope The concept of confocal microscopy was initially developed by Marvin Minsky in the 1950s, at Harvard University with an aim of viewing the neural network without staining the tissues but it did not … Read more
Introduction and History of the Inverted Microscope Invented in 1850 by a faculty member of Medical College of Louisiana, named J. Lawrence Smith, this microscope just like it sounds is a light microscope which has its components placed in an … Read more
The first Scanning Electron Microscope was initially made by Mafred von Ardenne in 1937 with an aim to surpass the transmission electron Microscope. He used high-resolution power to scan a small raster using a beam of electrons that were focused … Read more
Rhizopus spp are saprophytic fungi found on plants and it is parasitic on animals. They are multicellular fungi, with about 8 species. They are responsible for causing an opportunistic infection known as invasive mucormycosis in humans and animals. Some species … Read more
History of Microscopy: Overview The evolution of the Microbiology field put to perspective the need to identify, view, observe and understand microorganisms, including their structural morphologies and mechanisms. Microbiology’s scope is to study organisms and minute agents that can only … Read more
Epidermophyton floccosum is a filamentous dermatophytic fungus known to cause skin and nail infections in humans. It is an anthropophilic dermatophyte hence it is transmissible from one individual to another. Common infections caused by dermatophytes include tinea pedis (athlete’s foot), … Read more
Blastomyces dermatitidis is a thermally dimorphic fungus that causes blastomycosis, a chronically invasive fungal infection of the lungs, that disseminates into the skin and bones and it affects both humans and animals. The disease is predominantly endemic in North America … Read more
Coccidioidomycosis is a systemic infection caused by inhalation of Coccidioides immitis or Coccidioides posadasii spores. It affects both humans and animals. It is also known as Valley fever or cocci or California fever, or desert rheumatism, or San Joaquin Valley fever. The … Read more