1. 2nd
Summary: Microscopy and Photomicrography January 26, 2014
Dr. Robert Ross
In order to be a successful research scientist you need to know how to use
correctly the instruments present in the laboratory. The microscope, invented
by Robert Hook, is one of the most important instruments in the laboratory,
and it is used to observe small organisms. There are different types of light
microscopy, such as bright-field, phase contrast, dark-field, and Normanski.
Also, there are different electron microscopes such as the scanning electron
microscope and the transmission electron microscope. Each microscope
provides a different image of the object you are observing, and they are
differentiated by specific characteristics. For example, the scanning electron
microscope shows the surface of the organism that you are observing. I used
the dissecting microscope to observe a fruit fly. The dissecting microscope is
an optical microscope variant designed for low magnification observation of a
sample, typically using light reflected from the surface of an object rather than
transmitted through it, resulting in a three dimensional view of the specimen
being observed. This type of microscope is often used to study the surface of
solid specimen, or even practice microsurgery. The usage of microscopes has
been important in the process of exploring new areas of science such as the
discovery of the existence of microorganisms, learn the structure of cells, and
observe the smallest components of plants, animals, and fungi, etc. The
objective of this experiment was to teach use researchers/scientists the
correct usage of microscopes and the important role they play in science. We
learned the difference between microscopes and how to get the best out of
them.