Biomedical Imaging Flashcards
Describe the three parts of effective microscopy:
- Magnification (ratio of the size of the original object)
- Resolution (ability to separate two neighbouring points of information)
- Contrast (visibility against background, needed for 1. and 2., black and white is the perfect contrast)
Describe magnification:
An object can be focused generally no closer than 250mm from the eye (age-dependent)
Describe resolution:
The most important part of microscopy
Allows for resolution of two points (e.g. 2 proteins interacting inside the nucleus)
A greater NA=more resolution
Decreased wavelength=smaller distance=larger resolution
Theoretical resolutions - 200nm (light microscope) and 0.2nm (electron microscope)
Defined Abbe’s equation:
dmin=1.22wavelength/2NA
dmin=resolution (minimal distance to resolve)
List the components of the standard microscope:
3 lenses: Eyepiece Objective Condensor And light source
Describe numerical aperture (NA):
The ability to distinguish two observes close together
Directly relates to the resolving power
The higher the NA, the wider the angle (cone) of light, and the higher the resolution
However, the higher the NA, the volume of the sample in focus is smaller (payoff)
NA=n sin u (n=refractive index, u=angle)
Describe the refractive index and its importance in microscopy:
Refers to how light travels or refracted through a material
Refractive index matching needs to occur so light isn’t lost
Describe the speed of light in microscopy:
The electrical interaction between light and the charges within the specimen determines its speed
List the basic types of microscopy:
Brightfield (requires some degree of staining)
Don't need stains: Phase contrast Darkfield Differential interference Contrast DIC Polarised Hoffmann
Fluorescence
Brightfield, phase and fluorescence micropscopy are everyday types; the others are more specialised.
Describe brightfield microscopy:
Brightfield illumination - no contrast
Details occur via phase differences and by staining of components
Stained region absorbs light, reducing the amplitude of the signal
Edge effects (diffraction, refraction, reflection) produce contrast and detail
Describe Koehler illumination in light microscopy:
Spreads light just enough to fill field of view (overcome shadowing on edge of specimen)
Ensures illumination is centred and even
Matches NA of condensor with objective to achieve maximal
Improper set-up results in shadows, artifacts and incorrect colours
Prerequisite for contrast-enhancing methods
Describe phase contrast microscopy:
Used in tissue culture
Used to image transparent unstained specimens (living cells)
Unstained regions with higher refractive indexes, slow movement of light producing a shift in phase that results in scattering of light
Describe differential interference microscopy (DIC):
Used for thicker specimens (>10um)
Unstained specimens
3D effect
Describe fluorescence microscopy:
Uses light as a particle
Excitation and emission depend on the probe as to which colours occur
Fluorescence is the absorption of light which results in the emission (release) of light of a different wavelength (usually longer)
Some tissues are naturally fluorescent (e.g. collagen)
Describe the emission and excitation spectra in fluorescence microscopy:
Represent the wavelength at which the probe is most excieted (although it can be excited along the spectrum with a lower intensity)
Short wavelengths in and longer wavelengths out