MICROSCOPES

A. COMPOUND LIGHT MICROSCOPES

FEATURES

• Magnification 10X to 400X• Formula for determining total magnification –

objective lens X ocular lens (eyepiece)• Can view living specimens in two dimensions• Cannot view opaque specimens• Resolution falls as magnification increases

b. Stereo or dissecting microscope

FEATURES

• Low magnification• Can view opaque images• Obtain 3-D images• Can view opaque images

c. Scanning Electron Microscope

FEATURES

• Magnification – up to 50,000 X• Specimen must be coated in gold – so cannot

view live specimens• Specimens in 3 D• Specimens are in black and white• Expensive• High resolution

Transmission electron microscope

FEATURES

• Highest magnification and resolution• 2 D images• Specimen must be thinly sliced