The Importance of Microscope

The most important scientific tool in your laboratory is the microscope. These devices are used for viewing small organisms that are not visible to the naked eye.

The importance of microscopes is mostly in Life Science. It’s used in identifying microorganisms, and their functions are quite notable.  The microscopes are also used in bio-medics. If you consider biological activities in the classroom. Or simply for a hobby, you can choose among four types, a compound, light, the stereo, and pocket.

The Importance of Microscope: History

If any observer wants to examine a very small object at a larger scale. The microscope is an important device. Only microscopes will be able to achieve a magnification of range 2000 to 25000. The microscopes are ideal for small objects. Biology or Botany is a subject dealing with cells and tissues. A microscope is important in this function. Moreover, the study of genes and all varieties of organisms can be done.

Besides the microscope is a very important optical instrument for Chemistry as well. The prime utility of this instrument is to enlarge objects for visualizing. Magnification of different levels is allowed. It is important to choose the right type of microscope out of its several varieties. For microbiology, the microscope allows scientists to view specimens universally. Doesn’t ,matter if they are unreachable for the naked eye.

The microscopes play a vital role in microbiology. They enable scientists to view bigger images of tiny mineral samples. They might include plants and animals. The magnified image is created by light that gets reflected from the specimen. Then employing lenses, they are viewed in an enlarged form. Even if you want to measure the specimen, you can do it. Use an eyepiece graticule. The mini-rulers can be fitted to the eyepiece.

The importance of microscopes in chemical analysis is very important. Microscopes enable the chemical changes in the atomic structure. Also molecular, and ionic properties of various chemical reactions can get visualized. You can even visualize atoms by using advanced types of microscopes.

Microscopes got discovered in the 17th century. The microscope got its name from Greek sources. The word Micro stands for small. Then the word Skopian means to look. Depending upon the type of microscope and its advanced features, you can generate 2D or 3D images.

The microscope can screen the fine structure. Also crystal and rock, the anatomy of the small living creature, and even the structure of a cell. The importance of microscopes has deeply exhibited prominence in Human Life Microscopy.

Microscopes are being used worldwide in the fields of medicine and treatment. Over the years, microscopes have given us knowledge about microorganisms, bacteria, and viruses. They are important in identifying the cells. Moreover, treatment against diseases is possible.

The Importance of Microscopes in Different Fields

1. The utility of Microscope in Life Science

The microscope is a major contributor to the life science field. Cell biology and histology are can get done with the use of a microscope. Over the years, the study of human blood cells has provoked further study of cells. The microscopes have contributed largely to the field of biology.

The exceeding complexities hidden in biology can get explored with the microscope. The most popular type of microscope in biology is a compound light microscope. But, the stereotype of microscopes can be used for life science. Life science uses material and samples of large size.

Depending upon the lens count, the simple microscopes consist of a single lens.  The compound microscopes contain two lenses in comparison. Light microscopes are beneficial because the microscopes can deal with living cells.

You can visualize cells performing their natural functions.  Most microscopes used by students are light microscopes. The method of passing light through a specimen is required in a bright field. The students use this bright field microscope in the lab.

Fluorescent microscopy is another form of the light microscope. In natural conditions, the specimen won’t be fluorescent.  Neither a leaf will be fluorescent neither the tissues nor cell. But for getting effective images under the microscope, they must be tagged or dyed.

Hence, these microscopes are capable of exciting the specimen’s fluorescent molecules. The microscope uses the wavelength of other light. Confocal microscopy is a specialized form of fluorescent microscopy. This uses laser techniques to produce sharp images.

A cutting edge technology for generating high-resolution images is the electron microscope. Instead of light, they use electron beams. The fact is standard light microscopes, they are leading image quality.

The only demerit of using an electron microscope is that it requires a vacuum under the lens. Hence, you won’t be able to view live cells. Two major types of electron microscopes are available in the market. The microscopes are termed SEM and TEM.

The scanning electron microscopy, also termed SEM, produces a detailed 3D surface. The back and forth movement of the electron beam enables so. But the TLM or transmission electron microscopy cuts thin slices of the specimen. It has been identified to be suitable to study the structure of a cell. The electronic microscopes are costlier because of the added feature. In comparison to light they microscopes, they are much bulkier.

2. Healthcare

Since, the microscopes contains a piece of glass in the form of a lens used to manipulate and view small objects.  The mysteries of the human body were known. Like the protozoa, epithelial cells, bacteria were reasons to astonishment for the scientists. Hence, it evident how  important microscopes are in healthcare since the discovery. For medical settings and global universities, microscopes have been acknowledged to be indispensable.

Today’s world depends heavily on microscopes for healthcare studies. You encounter microscopes’ start from basics up to the pre-med level. For completion of our healthcare studies. The use of digital microscopes has paved the way for modern trends of healthcare study. The digital microscopes are equipped with a camera. These camera allows the entire class of students to view visuals in real-time. The inclusion of USB technology has enabled students to go through experimented visuals.

The most common type of microscope used in the clinical setting is the light microscope. The medical practitioners without hesitation feel it quite necessary to have a microscope. Not only one type of microscope will solve the purpose, and they need multiple types.

With the use of phase microscopes, bacteria and blood cells come into the picture. When blood or urine samples get placed under the microscope. The blood vessels and organ boundaries get lined with epithelial cells. In case some problem is happening in our body.  The epithelial cells’ identification can provide an answer.

To examine the presence of viruses in the bloodstream,  fluorescent microscopes get preferred. Using thr  ultraviolet radiation, images of specimens with high clarity can get generated. In case high-resolution images are required, electron microscopes can be used. 3D views of the specimen can be used by using these microscopes.

The X-ray microscope lies between light and electron microscopes in terms of image. X-ray beams are inaccessible to the naked human eye. They are a compact form of beams that neither reflects or refracts. It would be wise to say they produce detailed and clear images.

3. Research and Surgery

For conducting research work, medical schools or pharmacists use various types of microscopes.  The role of principal investigators in  lab is either to practice medicine. Besides they get seen lecturing students. The labs are equipped mostly equipped with research as well as teaching equipment.

The most suitable microscope should be used. The use of medical microscopes is predominant in pharmaceutical and other research institutes. These companies spend no time in academia. They use much-advanced technology for cancer research or pathogens. The stereotype of the microscope is preferred.

The use of stereo microscopes enables the researchers to study tumors. Also view organs to a magnified scale. This process makes the process of dissection and analysis much easier. Hence, in surgery, the doctors prefer stereo microscopes. They can view the portion of the human body they are operating on a larger scale. A handheld microscope can also suffice the necessities of an operating room.

4. Correlation of Diagnosis and Microscopy

The invaluable tool in diagnosis is the electron microscope. For identifying a smaller specimen electronic microscope is superior to a light microscope.  Electron microscopes can enable medical practitioners to view different cell parts more clearly. Parts like Cytoskeleton or Organelles, becomes more visible.

If the electron microscopes get coupled with the digital microscope’s camera facilities. In such case the maximum amount of data can be shared and stored. From image, the healthcare professional can diagnose the patient’s health conditions. It is wisely stated that these images allow professionals to track  health conditions. Side by side decides upon the future course of treatment.

5. Chemistry

In recent times liquid electron microscopy is popular. The guiding  factor  is analyzing chemicals in the liquid state is quite a boom. The use of electron microscopy can enable chemical scientists the different processes. The processes involved in chemical reactions. The study can be conducted till atomic transformation.

To date, the electronic microscopes were dealing with solid samples. Recently it was discovered the microscopes are apt for liquid-phase samples as well. The study of liquid media using liquid-phase electron microscopy has revolutionized mechanics. The uses of liquid electronic microscopes benefit the catalysis process. Also soft matter science, Nano-particle study, and biochemistry and battery research.

Any dust particle consists of fine traces of fine particles. With use of the electronic micro probe scientist to know about the particles. The basis of the study conducted depends on

1. the shape and size of the mineral particle extracted from dust
2. The identification of the mineral composition of a dust particle
3. what proportion of mineral is present in the dust
4. the sample of biological source or air from where the sample gets collected.

The electron microprobes are capable of extracting all information regarding the single-particle. In the case of bulk chemistry of dust, a similar measurement can be done. You can also extract the measurement from the bulk analysis. The use of the X-ray count rate enables your measurement. Results can be analyzed based on X-Ray beam intensity. Also the way the instrument has been calibrated.

Pros And Cons of Microscope

After a detailed study, it has got concluded that the biological, chemical structures . Images sending beams of electrons for the purpose. Researchers were able to come across 3D views of highly many cells. The main advantages and disadvantages

Final Thought

Since its discovery, the importance of the microscope is well understood in the field of Biology as well as Chemistry. Over time there are many technical advancements. Those have contributed to healthcare and medicine related academics.

They also have appreciable contributions to research and analysis. There are major types of microscopes available. The type varies with the purpose it is used. As you know about the usage you should also know about the maintenance of your microscope.

The light microscopes and the fluorescent microscopes are mostly used for the study. While the stereo and handheld microscopes for more detailed activity. Moreover if you also cheque out how Microscope became so important in our lifes.