Nina Lilian V.

Santos
S3
1. Types of microscope and its function.
Simple Microscope
A simple microscope or single lens microscope uses just one lens for magnification of the sample.
It is the original light microscope that is now considered primitive. It uses a single, convex lens
that is commonly observed in the loupe.
Compound Microscope
The most commonly used microscope and the integral part of a school or college lab is the
compound microscope. This compound microscope uses two optical parts, called the ocular lens
and the objective lens. The compound microscope can provide about 2000X magnification. Thus,
compound microscopes are the types of microscopes used in biology to observe bacterial, algal,
protozoa as well as animal and plant cells.
These microscopes are heavier and larger than simple microscopes. These microscopes collect the
light from the sample with the help of multiple lenses. A separate set of lenses is used to focus the
light into the eye (or camera) to form an image. There are different types of compound
microscopes. Some of the basic types are discussed below:
Standard Compound Light Microscope
This microscope consists of an eyepiece lens that is in line with the revolving nose piece. The nose
piece holds two or more objective lenses. The light passes from the stage through a hole into the
sample. From the sample it passes to the lenses. The images are enlarge 4X, 10X, 40X or 100X
according to the objective lenses fitted on the revolving nose piece.
Inverted Microscope
An inverted microscope is actually an upside-down microscope. This involves viewing the sample
from an inverted position that helps the viewer see an upright image of the sample. This microscope
is useful for viewing liquid cell cultures. Also helps viewing thick or large specimens clearly.
Stereo Microscope
Dissecting microscope or stereo microscopes have low magnification power. These too are types of
light microscopes that help in observing specimens that are a bit larger in size. It contains two
optical paths that are at different angles and help the user see the specimen in three dimensions.
The dissecting microscopes are the types of microscopes used in anatomy and physiology for
carrying out microsurgery, dissection, fine repair, sorting as well as forensics. The advantage of
dissecting microscope is that it can be used on living samples but it has a low magnification
power.
Metallurgical Microscope
A metallurgical microscope is a microscope used to observe metal, plastic, ceramic as well as
other material samples. They help in observing the surface structure, metal fatigue, etc.
UV Microscope
A UV microscope uses UV light to produce an image that is twice the resolution seen in visible light
microscopy. Mercury arc or xenon burner is used as the source of UV light. As UV light is harmful
to human eye, a digital sensor or photographic film is produce to help observe the images.
Fluorescence Microscope
Fluorescence microscope uses high-energy, short-wavelenght light that excites the electrons of
certain molecules present within the sample. This causes the electrons to shift into a higher orbit

and when they come back to their original energy levels, they emit low energy, long wavelength
light. This light is within the visible spectrum that helps in formation of an image.
Digital Microscope
A digital microscope uses optical lenses as well as CCD/ CMOS sensors. It provides a 1000x
magnification power. It is used to achieve high quality recorded images of the specimen. The
commonly used digital microscope has a 15 inch monitor and 2 million pixel camera. The digital
CCD camera is attached to the microscope that is in turn connected to an LCD monitor or
computer.
Apart from these light or optical microscopes, there are other microscopes that are categorized
based on the lighting techniques. Some of these microscopes are mentioned below:
Dark-field Microscope
Dark-field microscope is used to observe live spirochetes. This microscope uses a special
condenser lens that helps scattering light. This causes it to reflect the light off the specimen at an
angle. The result is such that any light object is seen on a dark background.
Phase Contrast Microscope
The phase contrast microscope uses special condensers that help in throwing the light out of
phase. This helps the light pass through the object at different speeds. The phase contrast
microscope is one of the types of microscopes used in biology to view unstained specimens. It is
one of the types of microscopes used to study cells and cell parts like mitochondria, lysosomes,
Golgi bodies using a phase contrast microscope.