Chapter 4- Microscopy

Bright vs Dark Field Microscopes

bright- specimen is darker than the surrounding field used for larger living cells

dark- brightly illuminated specimens surrounded by dark field ideal for unstained, transparent cells that absorb little or no light

transforms subtle changes in light waves passing through the specimen into differences in light intensity

phase contrast microscopes best for observing living cells

emphasizes lines and edges of the cell, giving a toplogically accurate image

differential interference

uses dyes that emit visible light when bombarded with shorter UV rays

florescent microscopy

best used for surface structure analysis of dead cels

scanning electron microscopy

best used for internal structure analysis of dead cells

transmission electron microscopy