Exercise 3
Introduction to Basic Light Microscopy
Tools of Observation
•
Initial studies of natural phenomena made with unaided senses, sight, smell, hearing,
touch.
•
However, our senses are limited:
•
We can only detect a
narrow section of the electromagnetic spectrum
(between
750 nm and 400 nm)
•
Resolution
: For unaided human eye, the closest that two objects (or edges) can be
together and still distinguished as separate entities ~0.1 mm
•
Tools of observation
allow us to extend our senses make us aware of natural phenomena
invisible to our senses.
Objectives of Exercise 2
•
Learn how to use the compound
brightfield microscope.
•
Obtain Kohler Illumination.
•
Make microscopic observation
of a permanent dry mount.
•
Prepare a wet mount and make
microscopic observations.
•
Make microscopic
measurements using an ocular
reticle.
•
Calibrate the ocular reticle.
*
Optical Microscopes
•
A microscope
is an instrument for viewing objects that are too
small to be seen by the unaided eye.
•
An optical microscope (also called a light microscope) uses light to
project a magnified view of the object.
Some examples of light microscopes
