CONTENTS:
1. Introduction
2. Types
3. Principles
4. How does it work?
5. Application
6. Advantages
7. Disadvantages
LIGHT MICROSCOPE is an optical instrument that uses visible light and a system of glass
lens to magnify and resolve small objects such as cells, tissues and microorganisms that cannot
be seen by naked eyes.
It is widely used in biology, histology, microbiology and medical laboratory
PRINCIPLE OF LIGHT MICROSCOPE
The light microscope works in the principle that the visible light passes through or is reflected by
specimen, and the objective and eyepiece lens refract the light to produce a magnified image of
specimen
PARTS OF LIGHT MICROSCOPE
[Link] Parts
These supports and allow proper handling of the microscope.
Base – The bottom part; support the entire microscope and usually contains the light
source.
Arm – Connects the base to the head, used for carrying the microscope.
Body tube/Head – Hold the eye piece and objective lens
Stage – A flat platform where the slide is placed.
Stage clips/Mechanical stage – Holds the slide firmly in position.
Course Adjustment Knob – Moves the stage or body tube rapidly for rough focusing.
Fine Adjustment Knob – Used for precise and sharp focusing.
Revolving Nose Piece – Holds the objective lens and allows switching between them.
[Link] Parts
These are responsible for magnification.
Eye piece/Ocular lens
o Usually x10 magnification
o The lens through which the observer views the image
Objective lens
Mounted on the nosepiece; common magnification include
o X4 (low power)
o X10 (medium power)
o X40 (high power)
o X100 (oil immersion)
Total magnification = Eyepiece x Objective lens
[Link] System
Provide and controls light.
Light Source (lamp or mirror)-Provide illumination
Condenser-Focus light onto the specimen
Iris diaphragm-regulate the amount of light reaching the specimen to improve contrast
TYPES OF LIGHT MICROSCOPE:
1. Simple microscope
Uses one lens (e.g magnifying lens)
2. Compound microscope
Uses multiple lenses (most common)
3. Binocular microscope
Has two eyepiece for comfortable viewing
4. Phase contrast microscope
Enhances contrast in unstained specimens
5. Fluorescence microscope
Uses fluorescent dyes to visualize structures
MAGNIFICATION AND RESOLUTION
Magnification – Ability to enlarge an image
Resolution – Ability to distinguish two closely spaced objects as separate
Maximum resolution of a light microscope is about 200 nm
ADVANTAGES OF LIGHT MICROSCOPE
Easy to use and affordable
Allows observation of living cells
Colored images can be seen
Minimal specimen preparation
LIMITATIONS OF LIGHT MICROSCOPE
Limited resolutions compared to light microscope
Cannot visualize very small structures like virus
Lower magnification (maximum ~ 1000x)
USES OF LIGHT MICROSCOPE
Examination of cells and tissues
Diagnosis of diseases eg. Blood smear
Teaching and research in biological science
Microorganisms identification