microscopy

• What tool is essential for studying cells in biology?

  Microscopes
• Why are microscopes important for biology?

  They allow us to see otherwise invisible things
• How have microscopes changed over time?

  They have improved as technology and knowledge advanced
• What do light microscopes use to create an image?

  Light and lenses
• What can be observed using light microscopes?

  Individual cells and large subcellular structures
• What do electron microscopes use to form an image?

  Electrons
• What is a key advantage of electron microscopes over light microscopes?

  Higher magnification
• What does resolution refer to in microscopy?

  The ability to distinguish between two points
• What is the result of a higher resolution?

  A sharper image
• What can electron microscopes visualize in great detail?

  Internal structure of organelles
• What formula is used to calculate magnification?

  Magnification = image size / real size
• What must be true of image size and real size when calculating magnification?

  They must have the same units
• What must you do if the image size and real size have different units?

  Convert them first
• Why is standard form useful in microscopy?

  Microscopes see such fine objects
• What does standard form do to numbers?

  Changes big or small numbers into manageable ones
• What is the purpose of preparing slides?

  To look at cells or tissues
• What is the purpose of using stains when preparing microscope slides?

  To make cells easier to see
• Why should you avoid air bubbles under the cover slip?

  They will obstruct your view
• Which objective lens should you select first?

  Lowest power
• What is the function of the coarse adjustment knob?

  To roughly focus the image
• What should you do if you need to see the slide with greater magnification?

  Swap to a higher-powered objective lens
• Why should drawings of microscope specimens use clear, unbroken lines?

  To provide clarity
• Why should you include a scale line on your drawing?

  To show the size of the image
• What features should be labeled on a cell drawing?

  Important features of the cell
• What does 'magnification' mean?

  Making something look bigger
• Why must specimens be mounted on a microscope slide?

  To view them under a microscope
• What material is used for microscope slides?

  Clear glass or plastic
• How do you prepare a slide to view onion cells?

  • Add a drop of water to the middle of a clean slide.
  • Cut up an onion and separate it into layers. Use tweezers to peel off some epidermal tissue.
  • Using the tweezers, place the epidermal tissue into the water on the slide.
  • Add a drop of iodine solution (stain).
  • Place a cover slip on top.
• Why is iodine solution used when preparing slides?

  It is a stain
• What is the function of a stain?

  Highlights objects by adding color
• What are you trying to avoid when placing a cover slip?

  Air bubbles
• Why should you avoid air bubbles when placing the cover slip?

  They'll obstruct your view
• What should you clip the slide onto?

  The stage
• Why do you use the coarse adjustment knob first?

  To move the stage roughly into focus
• What is the function of the fine adjustment knob?

  To precisely focus the image
• What should you not include in your drawing?

  Colouring or shading
• What information should you include with your drawing?

  Title and magnification
• How should labels be connected to the features in your drawing?

  Using straight, uncrossed lines