Stick the starter in

your book and see

if you can label the
microscope and
answer the
question about
magnifcation
 Scale, size and
Microscopes

Learning Objectives
What measurements do we use in Biology?
Why are there different types of microscope?
What are the benefits and drawbacks of each type?
 Column High power lens
Arm

Course focus

Stage

Low power lens

Filter
Eye piece lens

Base Fine focus

Mirror
 Eye piece lens
Course focus
Column

Fine focus
High power lens

Low power lens

Arm

Stage
Filter

Mirror
Base
Measurement of size in Biology:

For very large organisms we use metres (m)

For most visible structures it is best to use
millimetres (mm)
For microscopic structures we use micrometres (µm)

So….
1m = 1000mm
1mm = 1000µm

How many µm are there in a metre?

1,000,000µm
Units
• Convert 100cm into mm
• (1000 mm)
• Convert 200m into km
• (0.2 km)
• Convert 20m into mm
• (20,000 mm)
• Convert 2km into mm
• (2,000,000 mm)
• Convert 20mm into µm
• (20,000 µm)
 What can you see here?

What more can you see

here?
Magnification
• Magnification is calculated using the following
equation
• Magnification= Size of Image
Size of Object

Remember your
units must be
the SAME
Example
The image of the red blood cell
measures 28mm in diameter.

The actual red blood cell measures 7 µm in diameter.

What is the magnification?
1. Convert units. 28mm= 28000 µm
2. Magnification= 28000= 4000 x
7
Now have a go at some exam
paper examples!!
Answers
• 1(b)     400

• 2(b)     12500
Standard Form
• Sometimes numbers will be so big or small that we
need to display them in standard form.
• Can you do this????
 Resolution
• The term ‘resolution’ is used to
describe the ability of a microscope
to distinguish detail.

• In other words, this is the minimum

distance at which two distinct points
of a specimen can still be seen
Electron microscopes

• An electron microscope has

much higher _____________
and ____________ power than a
light microscope.
• It can be used to study cells in
much finer _______.
• This has enabled biologists to
see and understand many more
sub-__________ structures.
Electron microscopes

• An electron microscope has

much higher magnification and
resolving power than a light
microscope.
• It can be used to study cells in
much finer detail.
• This has enabled biologists to
see and understand many more
sub-cellular structures.
Electron microscopes vs light
microscopes (on starter sheet)
1. Electron microscopes view the
image using electrons and a
computer monitor.
2. Light microscopes have lower
magnification.
3. Electron microscopes have
higher resolution.