Lesson 1 - Microscopy Flashcards
who is considered the father of microscopy?
Antoni van Leeuwenhoek
who created the first microscope?
Hans and Zacharias Janssen
what is the primary function of a microscope?
to magnify small objects for observation.
name the two main types of microscopes.
optical (light) microscopes and electron microscopes.
what is the difference between magnification and resolution?
magnification increases the apparent size of an object, while resolution determines the clarity and detail of the image.
describe the basic parts of a compound microscope and their functions.
eyepiece (magnifies image), objective lenses (magnify specimen), stage (holds slide), diaphragm (controls light intensity), light source (illuminates specimen).
what is the purpose of staining in microscopy?
to enhance contrast and visibility of cellular structures.
what is the main advantage of electron microscopy over light microscopy?
provides much higher resolution, allowing for visualization of smaller structures.
what is fluorescence microscopy?
uses fluorescent dyes to visualize specific molecules or structures within a specimen.
how is a specimen prepared for electron microscopy?
specimens are typically dehydrated, embedded in resin, and sliced into thin sections for TEM or coated with metal for SEM.
give examples of fields where microscopy is extensively used.
biology, medicine, materials science, nanotechnology.
what are some limitations of microscopy?
limited depth of field, potential damage to specimens, expensive equipment.
what is a Compound Microscope?
a high power microscope that uses a compound lens system.
what technology greatly enhanced microscopy in recent decades?
Computers
