This assignment was awarded distinction grade. This assignment can be bought as a guideline or as a skeleton to help you aim to get a distinction. Check out my store for other units and for unit bundle at discounts. Please contact me for any help.
Microscope
What is a microscope?
Microscopes are scientific instruments that can magnify specimens too small to be visualized
by the naked eye. Microscopes allow scientists to see micro details or structures. Microscopes
are used in a wide range of fields. In microbiology and medicine, microscopes ae often used to
study cells, tissues and even microorganisms. Which can aid in their field to examine disease
processes and help with treatment options.
https://www.britannica.com/technology/microscope/Magnification
The early microscope dated back to the early 17th century, starting from the first compound
microscope made by Zacharias Janssen and his father Janssen. The microscope then evolved
over centuries to now be highly advanced and specialized instruments such as electron
microscopes and confocal microscopes, which can provide even greater resolution and
visualization of specimens
https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/objects-and-
stories/medicine/microscope#:~:text=It's%20not%20clear%20who%20invented,30%20times%20its%20normal%20size.
B.M2 Compare the use of different microscopy techniques to observe the
structures of microorganisms.
Different types of microscopes include basic compound microscopes, oil immersion
microscope, phase contrast microscopes and electron microscopes. These different all share
different levels of detail and magnification. However, they all have their advantages and
disadvantages that make them valuable for specific corresponding uses.
Basic Compound Microscope:
Basic compound microscopes are commonly found in school laboratories or small scientific
institutions. These are also known as light microscopes as they use visible light to illuminate the
specimen and utilize several objective lenses in addition to its eyepiece lens to magnify the
chosen specimen. It is commonly and can be best used for overserving stained biological
samples and has a magnification ranging from 40x to 1000x
https://www.microscopeworld.com/p-3470-what-is-a-compound-microscope.aspx
Oil Immersion Microscope:
Oil immersion microscopes are a type of technique applied on a compound microscope. This
included the use of immersion oil which is applied between the objective lens such as 1000x is
used, to enhance the resolution of exceedingly small samples such as bacteria.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_immersion
Phase Contrast Microscope:
, Phase contrast is another microscopy that is used to enhance the contrast for unstained
specimens such as living cells. This method uses a special condenser and objective lens that
both work together to alter the phase of light that is travelling through the specimen which
causes difference in brightness and contrast. These can be used to observe living biological
processes in real time without the need for staining the sample.
https://www.microscopyu.com/techniques/phase-contrast/introduction-to-phase-contrast-
microscopy
Electron Microscope:
Electron microscopes use a method which includes a beam of electron instead of visible light in
compound microscopes. There are 2 main types of electron microscopes that include
transmission electron microscopes (TEM) and scanning electron microscopes (SEM). TEM is
used to examine thin sections of specimen while SEM produces a 3D image by scanning the
specimen's surface with a focused beam. Electron microscopes can magnify up to a million
times a why and provide exceptional resolution for studying cellular organs and their structures.
https://www.umassmed.edu/cemf/whatisem/
Evaluation
Basic compound Oil immersion Phase contrast Electron
microscope microscope microscope microscope
Resolution Provides moderate Offers high Provides high Provides very high
resolution, allowing resolution, enabling resolution without resolution, allowing
for the observation detailed the need for for detailed
of cellular examination of staining, enhancing observation of
structures cellular components the visualization of subcellular
and fine details. transparent structures and
specimens. nanoscale objects.
Magnification Typically offers a Offers a higher Provides a Provides a
magnification range magnification range magnification range significantly higher
of 40x to 1000x, of 100x to 2000x, of 100x to 2000x, magnification range
suitable for most facilitating more similar to the oil of 10,000x to
biological detailed immersion 1,000,000x,
observations. observations. microscope enabling detailed
examination of
nanoscale structures
Sample Requires relatively Requires similar Requires relatively Involves complex
Preparation simple sample sample preparation simple sample sample preparation,
preparation techniques as the preparation without including fixation,
techniques such as basic compound the need for dehydration,
mounting slides and microscope. staining, saving embedding, and
applying stains time and effort. coating with
conductive
material.
Contrast Requires staining Requires staining Utilizes phase It relies on the
Enhancement techniques to techniques similar contrast optics to interaction of
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller AssignmentKings. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £12.99. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
