The document discusses different light microscopy techniques including dark field microscopy, phase contrast microscopy, and fluorescence microscopy. Dark field microscopy uses angled illumination to visualize objects that scatter light against a dark background. Phase contrast microscopy converts small phase changes in light passing through a specimen into visible intensity changes, allowing fine specimen details to be seen. Fluorescence microscopy takes advantage of specimens that are inherently fluorescent or can be labeled with fluorescent dyes. These techniques allow better visualization of transparent or unstained specimens compared to traditional bright field microscopy.

1. DaRk Field & PhAsE ConTRaST MiCRoScoPy

2. Light microscopes Bright field microscope Dark field microscope Phase contrast microscope Fluorescent microscope

3. I. Dark field contrast microscopy takes advantage of objects that “scatter” light - this requires a special condenser that can “angle” the incident light II. Phase contrast microscopy takes advantage of objects that alter the phase of incident light - This requires “phase rings” in the condenser and in the objective lens III. Fluorescence microscopy take advantage of inherently fluorescent Material of biological objected that can be fluorescenlty labeled.

4. Single Cell Organism ( Tetrahymena ) observed with: “ Advanced” Light Microscopic Methods Bright Field Dark Field Phase Contrast Fluorescence (Dr. Gorovksy)

5. Recall that a specimen (e.g a live cell) with few structures that strongly absorb light provides little contrast with bright field microscopy e.g., the single celled protist Tetrahymena condenser lens objective lens

6. Dark Field Microscopy : Some objects can alter the light path by diffraction & or light scattering condenser lens objective lens

7. If the light pathway is angled without a specimen the field is dark... objective lens … but any object that diffracts light will be detected! Dark Field seen condenser lens objective lens condenser lens

8. The most commonly employed light microscope allows light to pass through the object -> bright field microscopy The limitation of such microscope is that transparent & semitransparent objects are not readily visible (needs staining) Visibility ->contrast between object & background Contrast can be greatly improved by creating a dark background Dark field microscopy

9. Principle If the aperture of the condenser is opened completely & darkfield stop is inserted below the condenser, the light rays reaching the object forms a hollow cone If a stop of suitable size is selected, all direct rays from the condenser can be made pass outside the object Any object within this beam of light will reflect some light in to the objective & become visible Method of illumination of object-> object become self illuminous against dark background -> dark-field illumination

11. Phase contrast microscopy The phase contrast microscopy is a special adaptation of the light microscopy & helps to obtain a clear picture of living or unstained cells. The adaptors convert minute difference in phase changes in transmitted light due to refractive indices of all cell organelles in to perceptible shades of grey This allow organelles of the living cell to become visible with fair contrast in them.

12. Principle of phase contrast microscopy (PCM) Different wavelength of our light rays detect differences in colours Different shade of grey are distinguished to our eyes due to differences in amplitude of light rays PCM convert invisible small phase changes caused by the cell component in to visible intensity changes

13. What is phase change & how r they caused? Phase changes are caused by the biological material through which the light ray passes If a material is absorbent, it causes the ray to undergo a change in amplitude. This is distinguished by our eyes Eg---- light passing through window glass n without them This is because the type of light rays reaching our eyes in the two different cases are different

14. Light rays goes change in amplitude when they pass through glass The change increases with the thickness of glass plates Similarly when light ray passes through a living cell they undergo an invisible phase changes due to different refractive indices & thickness of the cell organelles

16. Consider three different material & its effect on light ray Transparent & non absorbent material of higher refractive index Transparent, non absorbent but thicker Transparent & absorbent

17. Inference: A light ray undergoes a phase change depending on refractive index of the transparent material through which it passes The phase change is in direct proportion to thickness of the material A light ray undergoes a change in amplitude when it passes through an absorbent material

18. More refractive index & thickness, more change in phase If biological material absorbs light ray they show contrast but living cell generally do not absorb light ray. Cells & their component do not show phase change The value of phase change is ¼ the wave length of light But this phase change is not distinguished by our eyes

19. The principle behind PCM is to convert the undistinguishable phase change in to distinguishable phase change in terms of variation of contrast, with the help of two adaptors called the annular diaphragm & annular phase plate.

22. Phase contrast is obtained with the help of the annular diaphragm by separating the central & direct ray from the diffracted rays