Microscopes

Overview of Light Microscopy

• Stereomicroscope:

  • Examines entire objects in three dimensions at low magnification.

  • Also referred to as a dissecting microscope.

• Compound Light Microscope:

  • Used for examining small or thinly sliced sections of objects at high magnification.

  • Termed "compound" because it relies on the use of two sets of lenses.

Electron Microscopy Analogies

• Transmission Electron Microscope:

  • Analogous to the compound light microscope in its application and structural focus.

• Scanning Electron Microscope:

  • Analogous to the dissecting light microscope (stereomicroscope) in its focus on surface structure and three-dimensional perspective.

Microscopy Performance Metrics

• Resolution:

  • Defined as the minimum distance between two objects at which they can be seen as distinct and separate.