Week 1 Lab 1 - Introduction to the microscope

Microscope

An optical instrument that uses a lens or a combination of lenses to produce magnified images of small objects.

Simple Microscope

A microscope that uses a single lens, such as a magnifying glass.

Compound Microscope

A microscope that uses two or more lenses to magnify images.

Magnification

The enlargement of an image, measured in times (e.g., 10x).

Contrast

The difference between an image and its background.

Resolution

The clarity of an image, or the ability to show small objects that are close to each other as separate objects.

Brightfield Microscopy

A type of microscopy used to view stained (non-living) cells.

Phase Contrast Microscopy

A microscopy technique used to view living cells.

Darkfield Microscopy

A microscopy technique that shines a cone of light making the specimen appear bright against a dark backround

Resolving Power

The ability of a lens system to distinguish two close objects as separate.

Numerical Aperture (N.A.)

A numerical value that describes the range of angles over which the system can accept or emit light.

Immersion Oil

Oil used with the 100X objective lens to maximize light entry and improve image clarity.

Parfocal

A feature of microscopes that maintains focus when switching between different objective lenses.

Working Distance

The distance between the objective lens and the specimen when the specimen is in focus.

Oil Immersion Objective Lens

An objective lens designed to be used with immersion oil to enhance resolution.

Preparation Slide

A slide that has been pre-treated for viewing under a microscope.