Term | Definition |
Magnification | How much larger a specimen’s image appears compared to its actual size. |
Contrast | How well the specimen stands out from the bright background |
Resolution/resolving power | the ability to see details and distinguish structures. |
What do Most light microscopes have a RP of ? | 0.2 µm |
Reflection | light bounces back off the object. |
Absorption | light waves are taken up by the object. |
Transmission | light passes through the object. |
Refraction | as light passes from one medium to another it changes speed and this makes the light bend. |
Compound light microscope | Uses a series of lenses to collect and focus light as it is transmitted through the specimen on a slide. |
Stereo dissecting light microscope | used to observe specimens in 3-D |
Electron microscope | - use a beam of electrons to create the image. |
Transmission electron microscope (TEM) | used to visualize internal cellular structures 10,000-100,000X. |
Scanning electron microscope (SEM)- | used to visualize external structures in 3-D. Can magnify image 10,000-50,000X |
NUMERICAL APERTURE | Represents the angle of light refracted
•Measures the amount of light gathered by the objective lens |
RESOLVING POWER | represents the size of the smallest object that can be seen with that objective |