Assignment in Biology
Types of microscope
Draw and Label the parts of a Microscope
Give the function of the parts
Microscope
Microscope
An optical instrument that uses a lens or acumination of lenses to produce magnified images of small objects, especially of objects too small to be seen by the unaided eye.
Different types of microscopes
How many different types of microscopes are there? More than you probably thought. I tried to research a list of different types, based on the physical principle used to make an image. Of course, one could also classify the microscopes based on their area of application, their cost, their versatility or any other aspect. These classification systems do have a problem: In this case one on type of microscope can be allocated to several groups, and the system becomes “messy”.
Optical Microscopes: These microscopes use visible light (or UV light in the case of fluorescence microscopy) to make an image. The light is refracted with optical lenses. The first microscopes that were invented belong to this category. The price of optical microscopes varies from very cheap to nearly unaffordable (for the private person, at least). Optical microscopes can be further subdivided into several categories:
Compound Microscope: These microscopes are composed of two lens systems, an objective and an ocular (eye piece). The maximum useful magnification of a compound microscope is about 1000x.
Stereo Microscope (dissecting microscope): These microscopes magnify up to about maximum 100x and supply a 3-dimensional view of the specimen. They are useful for observing opaque objects.
Confocal Laser scanning microscope: Unlike compound and stereo microscopes, these devices are reserved for research organizations. They are able to scan a sample also in depth. A computer is then able to assemble the data to make a 3D image.
X-ray Microscope: As the name suggests, these microscopes use a beam of x-rays to create an...