Imaging Technology

• The quality of image seen under a microscope depends on:

  • magnification
  • contrast
  • Resolution
• Magnification: increasing the size of the image produced
• Contrast: the difference in light intensity between the image and the adjacent background

  • manipulating the light source alters the contrast and improves the image
• Resolution: the ability to distinguish between two points that are very close together
• Staining proves contrast between internal structures. However, staining kills the cells, so it is not possible to view living tissue.