MICROSCOPES

One of the most widely used tools in Biology

Microscope- used to see objects or detail that cannot

be observed by the naked eye
Cells (named by Robert Hooke) can be seen with the
help of a microscope.

Anton Van Leeuwenhoek developed the first

single lens microscope in the 1600s and was
the first scientist to identify bacteria.

Copy down
this
information
into your
notes

The Light Microscope uses light to shine through a specimen

which must be sliced thin so the light can pass through.
Monocular scopes give a two dimensional (flat) view and
binocular scopes give you a three dimensional view. View
living stuff.

Entamoeba
histolytica
Giardia lamblia

Giardia lamblia

Baylisascaris
Egg

Electron Microscopes allow you to see

much smaller objects because they have
greater resolution.
Max magnification 8,000,000 X (times life
size)
View dead specimens only.
Beam of Electrons, rather than light,
produces an enlarged image
Electron microscopes are more powerful
than LM's

Transmission Electron Microscope

Can magnify objects up to 200,000 times
Projects image onto a screen or photographic plate
Used to produce greatly magnified images of internal
details of a
specimen
Can not be used to view living specimens

Malaria causingPlasmodium sporozoite

traverses the cytoplasm of a mosquito
midgut epithelial cell.

Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)

Produces a 3 dimensional image
Specimens arent sliced but are sprayed with a fine metal coating
A beam of electrons is passed over the surface of the metal coating to
emit a shower of electrons
Showered electrons are projected onto a fluorescent screen or
photographic plate
SEM's produce greatly magnified image of surface details of
Butterfly wing
specimens
Can magnify up to 100,000 times
Can not be used to view living specimens
Stem Cell
Helicobacter pylori

Lichen

Using the Microscope

A. resolution- a microscopes ability to focus or
distinguish between two objects (clearly show
detail.)

Which picture shows greater resolution?

B. magnification- increasing the apparent size of an

object, can be calculated by multiplying the eyepiece
power by the objective power.
Which of these is magnified the
most? The least?--------------

What is the magnification of the

snow crystal pictured above?

C. Depth of field- the plane that is in focus at a particular

time while viewing

D. Field of view-the area of the slide that is being

viewed through the microscope

As the magnification
increases, the field of
view decreases.

Which of these has the

greatest field of view?

Which has the smallest

field of view?

E. Light microscope- can magnify up to 10,000X and allows you to

look at living things, has a resolution of 100nm.
1. simple-utilizes only one lens, developed by Anton Van
Leeuwenhoek in the 1600s.

2. Compound Light Microscope - contains more than one

lens
a. Eyepiece- usually contains one lens of 10 power magnification
b. Objectives- maintains proper distance between lenses, contains lens
Scanning-usually contains a lens of 4X
low- usually contains a lens of 10X
high- usually contains a lens of 40X

c. Diaphragm- regulates the amount of light passing

through the stage
disc- has discs of varying shades that regulate light
iris- opens to allow more light to pass, closes for less
light

d. Adjustment knob- moves the stage or body tube

coarse- moves the stage or body tube a large distance,
used to locate specimen
fine- moves stage/body tube a small distance, used for
fine focusing

e. Arm- supports the body tube and stage

f. Base- provides firm and steady support
g. Body tube- holds the eyepiece lens and objective lens at
the correct distance for magnification

h. Light source- shines light up through the specimen on the stage so

it can be viewed.
i. Stage- supports the microscope slide during viewing
j. stage clip- holds microscope slide in place
k. stage opening- allows light to pass through stage

l. Revolving nosepiece- revolves (turns) so that the high

and low power objectives can be switched

Microscope Lab Safety

Reminders

A. Proper use of a microscope

1. Plug in scope and turn on light source.
2. Place slide on stage and secure with stage clips.
3. Arrange slide so that the image is directly centered in the field.
4. Using the coarse adjustment, check that the low power objective
is lowered.
5. Adjust light by moving the diaphragm.
6. Using the coarse adjustment, turn clockwise until the image is in
focus.
7. Switch the nosepiece to high power objective.
8. Using the fine adjustment, carefully focus until the image is
clear.
9. When finished, switch back to the low power objective.
10. Turn off the light source and unplug the scope.
11. Remove the slide carefully and clean it well (unless it is a
prepared slide.)
12. If your microscope lenses are dirty, use a Q-tip and Sparkle. Be
careful not to grind the dirt into the lenses.

B. Preparing a Wet Mount

1. Hold a clean slide by the edges to avoid getting it dirty or scratched.
2. Place specimen on the slide. Specimen must be very thin so that the
light can pass through it.
3. Add one drop of water to unsuspended specimen.
4. Place cover slip on slide at a 45 degree angle to avoid trapping air
bubble.
5. View under the microscope starting on low power.
6. Stains can often be added to a wet mount without disturbing the
specimen.

Prepared Slides
Many objects observed
with a microscope are
colorless, transparent,
and difficult to see.
Stains often are used to
color objects for easier
and more detailed
observation. They
provide contrast, which
allows the observer to
see a greater level of
detail.

Some stains can be used as a diagnostic

tool. Ex. Gram staining

Bacteria will be
stained based on
their cell wall
composition.
This tells physicians
which antibiotics
would be effective