Microscopy is a scientific discipline which involves magnifying objects which cannot be seen with the naked eye. The goal of this branch of the sciences is to render these objects visible for study, allowing researchers to learn more about them and how they work. There are a number of different types of microscopy, and innumerable applications for it. Biology in particular relies heavily on microscopy to gather information, and this scientific tool is in daily use all over the world everywhere from high school science labs to the Centers for Disease Control.
The roots of microscopy lie in the 1600s, when scientists and engineers first started to develop lenses which were capable of significant magnification, allowing people to see things which had been invisible before. An explosion in interest occurred when researchers started documenting the “animalcules,” otherwise known as microorganisms, in everything from drinking water to saliva. The realization that a miniature world existed without the knowledge of humans led researchers to refine their lenses and microscopy techniques to get better magnification and higher image resolution.
Optical microscopy, which involves the use of visible light, was the first form to be introduced. It is also sometimes known as “light microscopy.” Many people who have taken a science class have used it to look at organisms under a microscope. With electron microscopy, a 20th century invention, scientists scan an object with an electron beam. This type produces excellent magnification, but the equipment is costly and the specimens must be prepared very precisely in order to get useful results.
Another technique, scanning probe microscopy, utilizes a hand held probe to gather information about an object under investigation. It can be more versatile than electron microscopy, with a number of types of probe available for different applications.
In all cases, looking at the specimen is only the beginning. A researcher can prepare the specimen by staining it or subjecting it to chemical reactions to learn more about it, as biologists do when they submit unknown bacteria to a Gram Stain. Microscopes can also be used to assist researchers with dissections and other tasks in which they want to probe the inner workings of an organism.
Optical microscopes can be very affordable, and they can make excellent learning tools for people who are interested in the sciences. Budding scientists often greatly appreciate the gift of a microscope to explore the world around them, and they may also like working with accessories such as microscope cameras.
By Mary McMahon
Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a All The Science researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.