The Intricacies of a Compound Microscope

Have you ever used a compound microscope? Your first thought may be to answer "no" but chances are if you had Biology in high school or college that you have used a compound microscope. What do you remember about this microscope? You may remember what it looks like but can you recall how it worked? If not, this article is for you!

A compound microscope uses light to illuminate the sample or object so that you can see it with your eye. It has two lenses that are used in combination to give you a greater view of the sample or object. One lens is called the objective lens and the other is called the eyepiece lens. The one nearest the sample you are looking at is called the objective lens. This is the lens that sticks out at the bottom and is the one you can change the magnification with. The eyepiece lens is mounted in the microscope cylinder nearest your eye. The combination of these two lenses give you your magnified image and magnification abilities.

There are many uses for the compound microscope. It is an essential tool in the creation of medicines and cures for diseases. It is also used for research in the field of bacteria and other biology. The compound microscope is used to examine cells, bacteria, and other organisms. It is also widely used in teaching about the world around us in schools across the world.

Who made the first compound microscope? A Dutch spectacle maker noticed that when he put two lenses together that magnification was greatly increased. He may have been among one of the first creators but the beginning of the invention is commonly contributed to Galileo in 1610. Galileo had heard of lenses being used in combination and made an instrument with a focusing device. Anton van Leeuwenhoek, considered the father of microscopes, was working in a store that made magnifying glasses and created ways to increase the magnification by grinding smaller and more powerful lenses.

Then he began building microscopes and was among one of the first people to see bacteria and cells up close. Others have contributed to and upgraded the compound microscope to the modern version we have today. A modern compound microscope can magnify a sample or object up to two thousand times.

The compound microscope has enabled scientists to cure many diseases over the years. Without the invention of the compound microscope, many diseases such as smallpox, measles, and others would still be prevalent in our society today. Learning about cells and micro organisms using a compound microscope gives scientists the tools to cure disease and learn about the miracle of the human body.

Mike Spencer
Looking at Microscopes
http://www.microscope-reviews.com

Technology advances at such an astronomical rate that it's hard to keep up - take advantage of these advances with some light hearted reviews of devices designed to make our life easier. Here we look at microscopes: http://www.microscopes-reviewed.com

---

Army Mobile Command Center for UAV Launch

After visiting the Denver RC Modeler Club one day as... Read More

Active Aerial Minefields

Is it possible to build an active aerial minefield to... Read More

Why Condition Your Boiler Water?

A boiler is used for generating steam. It does this... Read More

Whispering Windows For Observation Decks of ISS and Moon Colonies

Talking glass, which was featured recently in the famous Tom... Read More

Atlantis through Science

ICE AGES: - The impact of the ice ages and... Read More

Controls - The Building Blocks of Automation

As man learns to make machines that no longer rely... Read More

Preventing Flooding on Individual Farmers Fields to Save Crops

I propose permits be given to farmers to they can... Read More

Alchemy: Turning Rocks to Gold Since the Middle Ages!

Alchemy. Such a misunderstood science. I hope this article can... Read More

We Have Come Along Way in Our Exploitation of Transportation

We sure have come along way since the horse and... Read More

What are GE and GMO Crops?

Genetically Engineered Organisms and Genetically Modified Organisms, with Monsanto Corporation... Read More

Underground Cities, Save the Humans

Perhaps we should design tunneling robots, which can dig out... Read More

Saving People in Disaster Crisis, Concept

So often when we see huge Natural Disasters there are... Read More

UAVs and The Future Enhancements of Tele-Robotics

Today we have already available UAVs, which will soon have... Read More

Ancient Navigation and Mapping

DR. SENTIEL ROMMEL:As part of the research team that sought... Read More

Energy and America

America is entering into a time of Energy crisis. It... Read More

A Call for a Worldwide Campaign on Water Conservation

If we are to tackle the challenges of future populations... Read More

Cold Fusion

And as I was typing this, I stopped for a... Read More

How I Became Interested In Looking At The Moon

Like a lot of kids, my folks gave me a... Read More

Surround Panoramic Night Vision is Possible

Modern night vision equipment is state of the art for... Read More

Gerald Hawkins

There is something about the Hawkins clan that I like.... Read More

The Ecology of Environmentalism

The concept of "nature" is a romantic invention. It was... Read More

UAV Defense, UAV Recovery, Material Research, Infected Birds with Virus Plastic Net

When Manufacturing nets of any type: Going for strength and... Read More

An Immortal Horse

Egyptian scholars know there is little other than fiction that... Read More

Locusts To Help Make Energy From Bio Waste, part II

If we take the menace, nuisance and destructive Locust, we... Read More

Small Attack Submarines, Which Turn Into Hydrofoils and Fly

We propose single man underwater vehicles (attack submarines), which have... Read More

Planet Hugging

Tree hugging is a thing of the past. It is... Read More

Divining Your Soul Number

Your Soul Number, which defines your very essence or heart's... Read More

Pre-empt the Radiation or Die

At West Point, in a speech, President George W. Bush... Read More

Fire Escape System Concept

What if in the event of a fire the building... Read More

Mississippi River Mouth Debris Jetting Using Acoustic Transducers

The Mighty Mississippi is backing up and causing flooding issues... Read More

Feb. 12 is Darwin Day -- Secular Americans Celebrate Bday of Evolution Champ

This Feb. 12 marks the 196th anniversary of Charles Darwin's... Read More

A Case for Human Machine Visual Interface

Animation of personified reality is intriguing, memorable and interesting as... Read More

Rodent Populations are Half within 3 miles of a Railroad Track

About a month ago, I was helping a friend collect... Read More