B1.1 The world of the microscopes

Question 1

What is resolution?

Answer 1

Resolution is the ability to distinguish between two separate points.

Question 2

What does resolving power of a microscope affect?

Answer 2

Resolving power of a microscope affects how much detail it can show.

Question 3

What is the formula to find magnification?

Answer 3

Magnification = image size / actual size of object.

Question 4

What is the formula to find the image size?

Answer 4

Image size = actual size of object x magnification

Question 5

What is the formula to find the actual size of object?

Answer 5

Actual size of object = image size / magnification

Question 6

What is standard magnification of an eye piece lens in a light microscope?

Answer 6

It is normally x10 in light microscopes.

Question 7

How many nanometres in a micrometre?

Answer 7

1000

Question 8

How many micrometres in a millimetre?

Answer 8

1000

Question 9

What is the resolving power of a light microscope in nm?

Answer 9

About 200 nm

Question 10

Name 3 advantages of a light microscope

Answer 10

Cheap to purchase
Cheap to operate
Small + portable
Do not require radiation to operate
Living organisms can be observed
Simple + easy sample preparation
Material rarely distorted by preparation
Vacuum is not required
Natural colour of sample maintained

Question 11

Why can light microscopes help to observe living organisms?

Answer 11

Light microscopes can help to observe living organisms due to no radiation being needed in order for the microscope to work.

Question 12

Name 3 disadvantages of a light microscope

Answer 12

Magnifies objects up to 2000x only
Light microscopes have a lower resolution.
Light microscopes cannot operate in darkness
Light microscopes cannot provide three-dimensional images

Question 13

Name 2 advantages of an electron microscope

Answer 13

They provide higher magnifications ( which means they can detect smaller structures)
They have a much higher resolution (which means they can provide clearer and more detailed images)
Electron microscopes can provide three-dimensional images

Question 14

Name 2 disadvantages of an electron microscope

Answer 14

Expensive
Large and not portable
Only dead specimen can be used
Lots of training required to use them

Question 15

The higher resolution results in what?

Answer 15

The higher resolution, the better quality whatever is under observation will be.