Importance Of Light Microscope

INTRODUCTION OF LIGHT MICROSCOPE

The light microscope is an instrument used for magnifying research specimens. Light microscopes are an invaluable analytical tool that has the potential to allow scientific investigators to view objects at 1000 times their original size. Light microscopes magnify and resolve the image of an object that is otherwise invisible to naked eye. Since its invention, the microscope has been a valuable tool in the development of scientific theory. Magnifying lenses have been known for as long as recorded history, but it was not until the advent of the modern compound light microscope that the device was used in biology. A compound microscope is composed of two elements; a primary magnifying lens and a secondary lens

Although no Jansen microscopes survived, an instrument made for Dutch royalty was described as being composed of "3 sliding tubes, measuring 18 inches long when fully extended, and two inches in diameter". The microscope was said to have a magnification of 3x when fully closed, and 9x when fully extended.

Although ordinary magnifying glasses are basically a simple microscope, when we speak of the invention of the microscope, we really mean the "compound microscope". Compound microscopes feature two or more lenses, connected by a hollow cylinder (tube). The top lens, the one people look through, is called the eyepiece. The bottom lens is known as the objective lens. So today, when we say "microscope," we really mean "compound microscope".

There is a lens called "the objective" which produces a primary magnified image. Then there is another lens called "the eyepiece" or "ocular," which magnifies that first image. In actual practice, there are several lenses used for both the objective and ocular, but the principle is that of two-stage

The next major step in the history of the microscope occurred another 100 years later with the invention of the achromatic lens by Charles Hall, in the 1730s. He discovered that by using a second lens of different shape and refracting properties, he could realign colors with minimal impact on the magnification of the first lens.

COMPOUND LIGHT MICROSCOPE PARTS

Compound light microscope achieves higher levels of magnification than low power microscope. It is used to view smaller specimens such as cell structures which cannot be seen at lower levels of magnification. Essentially, a compound microscope consists of structural and optical components. However, within these two basic systems, there are some essential components that every microscopist should know and understand. These key microscope parts are illustrated and explained below.

STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS

The three basic, structural components of a compound microscope are the head, base and arm.

• Head/Body houses the optical parts in the upper part of the microscope

• Base of the microscope supports the microscope and houses the illuminator

• Arm connects to the base and supports the microscope head. It is also used to carry the microscope.

• When carrying a compound microscope always take care to lift it by both the arm and base,