Microscopes

Question 1

What is the definition of Magnification?

Answer 1

Magnification is the number of times larger an image appears, compared with the size of the object.

Question 2

What is the equation of magnification?

Answer 2

Total magnification= magnifying power of the objective lens x mangifying power of the eyepiece lens.

Question 3

What is the definition of Resolution?

Answer 3

The clarity of an inage, the higher the resolution, the clearer the image.

Question 4

Optical Microscopes are used because they are:

Answer 4

Relatively cheap, easy to use, portable and able to be used in the field as well as in laboratories, able to be used to study whole living specimens.

Question 5

What is an Electron Micrograph?

Answer 5

A photograph of an image seen using an electron microscope.

Question 6

What is a photomicrograph?

Answer 6

A photograph of an image seen using an optical microscope.

Question 7

What is an eyepiece graticule?

Answer 7

A measuring device. It is placed in the eyepiece of a microscope and acts as a ruler when you view an object under the microscope.

Question 8

What is a stage graticule?

Answer 8

A precise measuring device. It is a small scale that is placed on a microscope stage and used to calibrate the value of eyepiece divisions at different magnifications.

Question 9

Examples of chemicals used for staining specimens:

Answer 9

Acetic orcein binds to DNA and stains chromosomes dark red.
Eosin stains cytoplasm; Sudan red stains lipids.
Iodine in potassium iodide solution stains the cellulose in plant cell walls yellow, and starch granules blue/black.