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3.1: Introduction to Microscopy

  • Page ID
    124520
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    Learning Objectives

    After completing this lab report, you should be able to:

    • Identify the parts of the microscope and describe their functions.
    • Demonstrate proper techniques for the use of the microscope.
    • Demonstrate proper techniques for the storage of the microscope.
    • Define and calculate total magnification.
    • Define and calculate field of view.
    • Calculate cell size.

    Introduction to Microscopy

    Internal cell structures and microorganisms such as bacteria can only be visualized by microscopes because they are too small to be seen by the naked eye. Cell biologists and microbiologists use microscopes to magnify specimens and study fine details and structures.

    There are different types of microscopes. The most commonly used microscope in a student laboratory is called a compound light microscope. This type of microscope has two sets of lenses (the ocular and the objective) to magnify the specimen 40 to 1000 times, and a light which transmits the image to the observer’s eyes. The compound light microscope only provides a two-dimensional image. A typical compound light microscope and its general components can be seen in Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\) below.

    Diagram of a microscope labeled with parts including ocular lenses, objective lens, slide holder, stage, and light intensity control.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\) Parts of a compound light microscope. (Image credit: "Parts of a light microscope" by Mikael Häggström, M.D., CC0 1.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

    This page titled 3.1: Introduction to Microscopy is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by .