microscopy

• What is the main function of microscopes?

  To magnify images of specimens
• What did early microscopes look like?

  They looked much simpler than modern microscopes
• What important discoveries have light microscopes allowed us to make?

  Discoveries about the structures inside cells, such as the nucleus
• What is a limitation of light microscopes regarding magnification?

  They have a limited magnification that cannot easily view structures inside the nucleus
• What is another major limitation of light microscopes?

  They have limited resolution, resulting in blurred images
• Why did scientists invent the electron microscope?

  To explore structures inside cells in detail
• What are the key advantages of electron microscopes over light microscopes?

  They have much greater magnification and resolution
• What is the formula for calculating magnification?

  Magnification = size of the image / size of the real object
• If the size of the image is 45 mm and the real nucleus diameter is 0.01 mm, what is the magnification?

  The magnification is 4,500 times
• If the image size of a mitochondrion is 30 mm and the real size is 0.03 mm, what is the magnification?

  The magnification is 1,000 times
• How do you calculate the size of the real object if you know the image size and magnification?

  Size of the real object = size of the image / magnification
• If the size of the image is 87 mm and the magnification is 2,000 times, what is the size of the real cell?

  The size of the real cell is 0.0435 mm
• What are the advantages of electron microscopes compared to light microscopes?

  • Much greater magnification
  • Higher resolution
  • Ability to see fine details in specimens
• How do you perform calculations based on magnification?

  1. Use the formula: Magnification = size of the image / size of the real object
  2. Rearrange to find the real object size if needed: Size of the real object = size of the image / magnification
• What is the typical magnification of an electron microscope?

  • Can exceed 1,000,000 times
  • Commonly used magnifications are 10,000 to 100,000 times