Microscopes

Biology A-Level

Magnification

How much bigger an object appears COMPARED to its actual size

Resolution

How close 2 separate entities appear

Name 2 uses of staining

1) Makes organelles visible

2) Can distinguish organelles

3 differences between Light Microscope and Electron Microscopes

1) You can see colour and movement under light microscope

2) Electron microscopes have a higher resolution

3) Electron microscopes have a higher magnification

Formula for Magnification

Magnification = Image/ Actual size

Magnification and Resolution for ELECTRON MICROSCOPES

Magnification - 1 million x

Resolution - Less than 1nm

Magnification and Resolution for LIGHT microscope

Magnification - 400x

Resolution - 200nm (speed of light)

2 types of ELECTRON microscopes & differences

1) Electron Transmitting Microscope -

• Micrographs are 2D

• Not in colour

2) Electron Scanning Microscope

• 3D

• Not in colour

Differences between LIGHT microscope and ELECTRON Microscope

Light microscope can view in colour.

Light Microscope can view movement/living cells