Theme 3: Methods of microscopy
Units of Length
10 millimeters (mm) = 1 centimeter (cm)
10 centimeters = 1 decimeter (dm)
10 centimeters = 100 millimeters
10 decimeters = 1 meter (m)
10 decimeters = 1000 millimeters
10 meters = 1 dekameter (dam)
10 dekameters = 1 hectometer (hm)
10 dekameters = 100 meters
10 hectometers = 1 kilometer (km)
10 hectometers = 1000 meters
- Microscopes allow us to see the details on very small items.
, - Not all Microscopes can see the same level of detail.
- Maximum level of detail: Resolution - The shortest details between two points
on a specimen that can still be distinguished as two separate entities .
- Light microscopes resolution is 0.2um, they are limited to the wavelength of
light.
- Electron microscopes' resolution is 0.1nm , they are limited to the wavelength of
electrons.
- Magnification is the process of enlarging the appearance but not physical size of
some material. The enlarged appearance is called the image and the material
we are looking at is called the object
- MAGNIFICATION = the image size divided by the object size.
- Higher magnification might make the image larger but may not make it clear.
This is because it may be limited by the resolution of the image.
Light microscopy and staining methods
Light microscopy is a type of microscopy that uses visible light to illuminate specimens,
allowing for the observation of their physical and biological properties. It is one of the most
widely used techniques in biology and medicine, as it allows researchers to observe
structures and processes in living and fixed specimens.
Staining is a common technique used in light microscopy to increase contrast and highlight
specific structures within a specimen. There are various staining methods available,
including:
1. Simple staining: This method uses a single dye to color all structures in the
specimen. Examples include methylene blue and crystal violet.
2. Differential staining: This method uses two or more dyes to distinguish between
different types of structures within a specimen. Examples include Gram staining,
acid-fast staining, and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining.
Units of Length
10 millimeters (mm) = 1 centimeter (cm)
10 centimeters = 1 decimeter (dm)
10 centimeters = 100 millimeters
10 decimeters = 1 meter (m)
10 decimeters = 1000 millimeters
10 meters = 1 dekameter (dam)
10 dekameters = 1 hectometer (hm)
10 dekameters = 100 meters
10 hectometers = 1 kilometer (km)
10 hectometers = 1000 meters
- Microscopes allow us to see the details on very small items.
, - Not all Microscopes can see the same level of detail.
- Maximum level of detail: Resolution - The shortest details between two points
on a specimen that can still be distinguished as two separate entities .
- Light microscopes resolution is 0.2um, they are limited to the wavelength of
light.
- Electron microscopes' resolution is 0.1nm , they are limited to the wavelength of
electrons.
- Magnification is the process of enlarging the appearance but not physical size of
some material. The enlarged appearance is called the image and the material
we are looking at is called the object
- MAGNIFICATION = the image size divided by the object size.
- Higher magnification might make the image larger but may not make it clear.
This is because it may be limited by the resolution of the image.
Light microscopy and staining methods
Light microscopy is a type of microscopy that uses visible light to illuminate specimens,
allowing for the observation of their physical and biological properties. It is one of the most
widely used techniques in biology and medicine, as it allows researchers to observe
structures and processes in living and fixed specimens.
Staining is a common technique used in light microscopy to increase contrast and highlight
specific structures within a specimen. There are various staining methods available,
including:
1. Simple staining: This method uses a single dye to color all structures in the
specimen. Examples include methylene blue and crystal violet.
2. Differential staining: This method uses two or more dyes to distinguish between
different types of structures within a specimen. Examples include Gram staining,
acid-fast staining, and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining.
