Glossary of Terms

An A-to-Z of microscope terms.

HISTORY OF THE MICROSCOPE

During that historic period known as the Renaissance, after the "dark" Middle Ages, there occurred the inventions of printing, gunpowder and the mariner's compass, followed by the discovery of America. Equally remarkable was the invention of the light microscope: an instrument that enables ...

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MICROSCOPE PARTS AND FUNCTIONS

Before purchasing or using a microscope, it is important to know the functions of each part.

Eyepieces: The eyepieces are the lenses at the top that the viewer looks through; they are usually 10X or 15X. To get the total magnification level, multiply the magnification of the eyepiece and the magnification of the objective used (ex: 10X eyepiece * 40X objective = 400X total magnification).

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HOW TO CHOOSE A MICROSCOPE

Your application is the most important factor in choosing a microscope. What you need to see and what you want to do with that image will determine what kind of microscope you need. There are two

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HOW TO USE A MICROSCOPE PROPERLY

Basics:
1. When transporting the microscope, carry it close to your body with one hand on the arm and the other ...

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HOW TO CHOOSE A MICROSCOPE CAMERA

Previously, scientists had to sketch their microscopic observations on paper. Today, they use microscopes with cameras, as they make the job much simpler and more accurate. ...

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