Phase contrast microscopy is a technique that makes transparent objects more visible without killing them. It works by converting differences in the retardation of light rays passing through a transparent sample into amplitude differences, creating a higher contrast image. The microscope uses a light source, annular diaphragm, condenser lens, specimen stage, objective lens, phase plate, telescopic lens, and eyepiece to visualize unstained living cells and their organelles.

2. PHASE CONTRAST MICROSCOPY

3. Phase contrast microscope is a technique which makes highly transparent objects more visible without killing them. Invented by the Dutch physicist Frederick Zernike in 1930

4. PRINCIPLE It converts the different degrees of retardation of light rays passing through a translucent material into amplitude differences to create an image with increased contrast.

5. COMPONENTS Light source Annular diaphragm Condenser lens Specimen stage Objective lens Phase plate Telescopic lens Eye piece

10. Cheek cell

11. Clostridium botulinum, the bacterium responsible for botulism, with subterminal oval endospores;

12. Spirillum volutans, a very large bacterium with flagellar bundles

13. Paramecium stained to show a large central macronucleus with a small spherical micronucleus at its side

14. APPLICATIONS Objects with poor intensity can be resolved well. Image of the unstained object can be obtained It is widely used in microbiology and tissue culture research to detect bacteria, cellular organelles and other small entities in living specimens It allows the visualization of living unstained cells and their organelles. For the detection of bacterial components such as endospores and inclusion bodies containing poly β hydroxy butyrate, polymetaphosphate, sulpher and other substances

15. THANK YOU HARIS P MSC BIOTECHNOLOGY MA COLLEGE ERNAKULAM