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How small is a cell?

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Comparing micro-organisms

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Light microscopes
Light (or optical) microscopes use lenses to project a
magnified image of an object onto the eye.
Magnification is a measure of how many times bigger the
image is than the object:

size of image
magnification =
actual size of the object

Light microscopes are limited to a magnification of 1500

by their resolving power (resolution). This is a measure
of their ability to distinguish between two separate points.
A light microscope cannot resolve two points that are
closer than half a wavelength of visible light (250 nm).

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Electron microscopes

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Two views of the Ebola virus

http://connect.in.com/ebola/photos-ebolavirusundermicroscope-1190603392496.html

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More about Light Microscopes

Optical, or light, microscopes are what

youll be using in class to observe cells.
Use your textbook to help you complete
the Intro to Microscopes WS.

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Preparing a specimen for microscopy
Electron microscopes
contain a vacuum, as
air particles would
interfere with the beam
of electrons.

Water boils at room

temperature in a
vacuum, so the
specimen must be dried
out completely (dead).

Optical microscopes can be used to view living specimens.

Colored dyes (stains) can be used to make specific
structures more visible under a light microscope.

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Proper Use of the Microscope: Important!

ALWAYS carry a microscope with 2

hands. One under the base and one
holding the arm of the microscope.

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Proper set-up and use of the microscope

1. Orient the microscope so the stage is facing

you, not the microscope arm.
Turn/twist the eyepiece around so it is angled toward you.
The focus knobs will be on your right.
2. Turn on the light.
3. Rotate the nosepiece to put the scanning
power objective lens in place, centered over
the hole in the stage.
The shortest lens; the lowest magnification power.
Total magnification = eyepiece lens x objective lens

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4. Place the glass slide under the stage clips,
center the specimen.
Visually place the specimen on the slide over the small
circle on the stage where light shines through.
5. Look through the eyepiece. Use the coarse
adjustment knob to move the stage and
bring the specimen into focus.
The diaphragm under the stage adjusts the amount of
light coming through.

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6. Turn the nosepiece to center the low power
objective over the slide. It must click into
place.
7. Use the fine focus adjustment knob to bring
the specimen into focus.
If directed, when you go to high power, only
use the fine focus adjustment!
If the specimen goes out of focus, back up to low power
or even scanning power and start again.

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Making a wet mount

1-2 drops of water or

Put coverslip down at Wick away any
stain put over the
a 45 angle and excess liquid.
specimen.
slowly lay it down.

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Using a microscope

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