Chapter 3: Microscopy And Staining Flashcards
Nanometers (nm)
10^-9
- measure viruses
Micrometers (um)
10^-6
- measure bacteria
Light properties
Wavelength
Resolution
Light travel
Wavelength (lambda)
Length of a light ray
- measure distance between two adjacent peaks or troughs
- average visible light wavelength is .55um
Resolution
Ability to separate two objects as distinct
- the shorter the wavelength of light, the better resolution
Reflection
Light bounces off the object
Transmission
Passes through the object
Absorption
Light is absorbed by the object
- luminescence can occur (wavelength is changed and re-emitted by the object)
Florescence (glow)
Re-emitted light is only visible when the object is being irradiated (given light)
Phosphorescent (glow in the dark)
Light continues to be re-emitted after irradiation stops
Refraction
Light bends as it passes through the media
- oil prevents refraction in microscope
Diffraction
Light bending around a split
Bright field microscopy
Cells are slightly darker on a light background
- difficult to see without staining
Dark field microscopy
Cells appear light on a dark background
Phase contrast microscopy*
A special condenser and objective lenses are used to distinguish small differences in index of refractions
- can view living organisms