The Invisible World through the Lens of a

Microscope
• S
​ ince most cells are too small to be seen by the
naked eye, we were not aware of their existence
until after microscopes were invented in the
1600s.

• Because of the limitations of the human eye,

scientists during this period concentrated on
developing tools to examine very small objects.

• Hooke's crude microscope allowed him to

observe a thin slice of cork to reveal a lot about
little boxes now called as cell walls.
• Ten years later, Leeuwenhoek observed what he
called animalcules known today as single-celled
organisms called protozoa. He was the first biologist
to observe bacteria, protozoa, nematodes, rotifers,
and many other microscopic organisms.

• In the 17th century, scientists were able to invent

light microscopes that allowed man to see cells but
with limited complexity.

• More powerful microscopes like the electron

microscope in the 1930s have overcome this
limitation, thus, enabling man to see the intricacies
of the cell and its parts.
• The image produced by a microscope is called a
micrograph.

• A micrograph specifies the type of microscope

used to produce the image as well as the
magnification value of the image.
 Micrograph of an insect under an Electron Microscope

Electron Microscope
• Magnification is the measure of optical
instruments for an object to appear larger than its
actual size. For instance, a magnification of 400x
specifies that the object under microscopic study
is 400 times larger than a is actual size.

​
• Resolution indicates clarity of an image. Both
high magnification and excellent resolution are
important in revealing the intricacies of extremely
small specimens with enough clarity.
Today, biologists use different microscopes
depending on the organism they wish to study.
Microscopes in a biology laboratory differ in terms
of their magnification and resolution capabilities.
The most common type in school laboratories is the
light microscope, while advanced research
laboratories have the electron microscope. Some
microscopes are only applicable to be used with
live specimens.
• ​The compound microscope commonly used in
schools is equipped with lenses to enlarge objects up to
several hundred times with the most powerful type
having a magnification up to 2 000x. This simple
microscope is used to examine cells and sections of
tissues with the use of sunlight or artificial light to
illuminate an object being examined.
• Stereomicroscope is used to examine the external
structures of a specimen such as insects.
• The phase-contrast microscope is used to examine
highly transparent objects such as unstained cells.
• ​Electron microscope uses streams of electrons to
enlarge objects up to 10000000x.
• The transmission electron microscope (TEM) is used
to study internal structures of cells through sectioned
specimens.
• Scanning electron microscope (SEM) is used to
examine the three-dimensional surface structures or
shapes of objects such as viruses. 
• T
​ hough most electron micrographs are always black
and white, scientists often add artificial colors to allow
certain structures to have enough visibility through the
use of computers. Fluorescent microscope illuminates
objects stained with fluorescent dyes that glow in the
dark. Fluorescence microscopy had been used
extensively in studying the location of certain organelles
or substances inside the cell.
• Confocal scanning microscope is used to examine the
three-dimensional structure of a cell or organelle without
cutting the specimen into sections.
It uses laser beams to scan across the specimen. Due to
technological advancements in image processing, objects
examined using the different microscopes can be
photographed or viewed on TV or computer screens
through a process called video microscopy. The
development of better staining techniques, more advanced
microscopy, and powerful electron microscopes allowed
scientists to see what those structures are and determine
their functions.