SCIENCE-Microscope

• The eyepiece of a compound microscope allows the viewer to look at the enlarged image of the specimen.
• The body tube of a compound microscope supports the eyepiece.
• The coarse adjustment knob of a compound microscope focuses the specimen under the low-power objective.
• The fine adjustment knob of a compound microscope focuses the specimen under the high-power objective.
• The revolving nosepiece of a compound microscope allows the shifting of objectives from the low-power objectives to high-power objectives.
• The lower-power objective (LPO) of a compound microscope further magnifies an image under the microscope.
• The high-power objective (HPO) of a compound microscope allows you to see the detailed parts of the specimen.
• The stage of a compound microscope is where the glass slide is mounted.
• The diaphragm of a compound microscope regulates the amount of light that will pass through the stage.
• The mirror (light source) of a compound microscope reflects the lights onto the specimen for viewing.
• The arm of a compound microscope allows you to hold the microscope to transfer the microscope from one place to another.
• The inclination joint of a compound microscope allows you to tilt the microscope into different angles.
• The base of a compound microscope supports the entire body of the microscope.
• A light microscope uses light to examine the specimen and can be focused using a glass mirror.
• The regions of the specimen that absorb more light appear darker in the microscope.
• A light microscope is cheaper and easier to use.
• The color of the specimen can be seen by using a stain.
• The staining process may be long and arduous depending on the specimen to be stained.
• A light microscope has low resolution due to the wavelength of light.
• A light microscope has low magnification.
• A scanning electron microscope (SEM) uses beams of electrons instead of light to view specimens.
• The image is formed based on how many electrons are absorbed by the different regions of the specimen.
• A scanning electron microscope does not need light for the specimen to be viewed.
• The resolution of a scanning electron microscope is much higher than a compound microscope (can reach 200 000 x); thus, it can give a closer look of the surface structure of the specimen.
• A scanning electron microscope is very expensive.
• A scanning electron microscope does not respond to light, the image of formed is black and white.
• The image of a scanning electron microscope needs to be colored digitally based on the electrons absorbed.
• The user of a scanning electron microscope must be well-trained.
• A scanning electron microscope requires a dead specimen because it will have to pass through a vacuum.
• The staining process for a scanning electron microscope requires the use of toxic metals.
• A transmission electron microscope (TEM) also uses electrons to view specimens similar to a scanning electron microscope.
• Electromagnets are used to focus the specimen in a transmission electron microscope.
• A transmission electron microscope uses false colors upon viewing specimens to add excitement to the viewer.
• A transmission electron microscope can magnify specimens up to 500 000x.
• Cell is the basic unit of life.
• Every organism is made up of at least one cell.
• Your body contains billions (or even billions) of cells.
• Cells come in different shapes and sizes, depending on their function.
• The history of the cell coincides with the development of the microscope.
• Robert Hooke (1665) examined a cork sample under his own microscope and described it as composed of tiny holes, which reminded him of little rooms in a monastery.