Invention of the Microscope

Invention of Anton van Leeuwenhoek

admin — Thu, 24 May 2007 03:15:17 +0000

Our eyes can only perceive an object when it appears larger or smaller depending on its distance from our eyes. Nevertheless, when something is brought closer to the eye than about 10 inches, we cannot distinctly recognize the object because we cannot focus on it sharply. The human eye has limited accommodative power or its ability to change focus, because if we do we would not need microscopes. Anton van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723) invention was the earliest simple microscope which is a byproduct of research by those brilliant minds such as Galileo, Janssen and Kepler. His microscope was very simple, but his talent at grinding lenses makes it more advanced compare to other compound microscopes used during his time. Compared to modern microscopes, his device was extremely simple using only one lens that served as eye piece of the object. The eye piece is mounted in a tiny hole in the brass plate that serves as the body of the instrument. (more…)

Classifications of a Microscope

admin — Thu, 24 May 2007 03:14:01 +0000

There are two major classifications of a microscope, the optical theory microscopes and scanning probe microscopes. One of the oldest and the simplest of the microscope is the optical microscope; this type of microscope uses visible luminosity and a system of lenses to amplify images of small samples. This instrument maybe the simplest form of microscope but the most widely used. Optical microscope uses a refractive glass lenses or sometimes of plastic to focus light into the eye. As long as it uses electromagnetic wavelengths not visible to the human eye are frequently tagged as optical microscopes. The most common of these is the x-ray microscope due to its high resolution. (more…)

Microscope:Tool for the Development of Scientific Theory

admin — Thu, 24 May 2007 03:13:12 +0000

Microscope has been a valuable tool for the development of scientific theory since the advent of its discovery. Different types of microscopes are now in the market to cater different needs of research. Seeing the smallest particle which even our own naked eyes could not see is only a distant dream before. Following the invention of microscope and after discovering things we can only imagine is beyond our grasp. All those possibilities that we can find out with a microscope are endless. This incredible discovery are now used to look at human cells, to diagnose infections, to examine microorganisms, to study the composition of minerals, to determine the grain structure of metals, to find out causes of crop diseases and dissecting biological specimens. Microscopes are also essential in the field of medical science. They have been used to identify the causes of deadly illnesses like AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. (more…)

The Invention of Compound Microscope

admin — Thu, 24 May 2007 03:11:32 +0000

Since its invention, compound microscopes made a remarkable contribution to the advancement of science. Compound means that microscope uses more than one lenses. Microscope is a combination of two Greek words, micron which means small and skopein meaning to look at. The modern compound light microscope was widely known for its importance in the field of biology. The discovery of bacteria and microorganism paid the way to one the greatest inventions of all time. Another equally important discovery was by Robert Hooke who was credited by his discovery of cell. In the world of medicine, Louis Pasteur of France discovered a yeast fungus and in the middle of the 19th century a German Bacteriologist, Karl J. Ebert made his discovery of Eberthella Thyphosa. Similar instrument was used by Robert Koch when he discovered tubercle and cholera bacilli. Composed of two optical elements this extraordinary instrument has a primary magnifying lens and a secondary lens system which is similar to a telescope which commonly referred as the ocular. (more…)

Microscope Today - Modern Microscope

admin — Thu, 24 May 2007 03:08:18 +0000