1. Preparation of the sample: The sample is prepared by fixing, staining, and mounting it on a slide to make it suitable for microscopic examination.
2. Light microscopy: This method uses visible light to illuminate the sample and magnify it using lenses. It is commonly used for studying biological samples.
3. Electron microscopy: This method uses a beam of electrons to illuminate the sample and produce high-resolution images. It is used for studying structures at the nanometer scale.
4. Phase contrast microscopy: This method enhances the contrast of transparent samples by exploiting the differences in refractive index of different parts of the sample.
5. Fluorescence microscopy: This method uses fluorescent dyes to label specific structures within the sample, allowing for their visualization under a microscope.
6. Confocal microscopy: This method uses a pinhole aperture to eliminate out-of-focus light, resulting in high-resolution images of thick samples.
7. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM): This method scans the surface of the sample with a focused beam of electrons to produce detailed images of the sample's topography.
8. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM): This method transmits electrons through the sample to produce high-resolution images of its internal structure.
9. Immunofluorescence microscopy: This method uses fluorescently labeled antibodies to detect specific proteins within the sample, allowing for their visualization under a microscope.
10. Differential interference contrast microscopy: This method enhances the contrast of transparent samples by splitting the light beam into two separate beams that are then recombined to produce a 3D-like image.
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Google Gemini AI
Oct 4
Methods for Microscopic Study
Sample Preparation:
- Fixation: Preserving the sample to prevent degradation (e.g., formalin, glutaraldehyde) - Embedding: Encasing the sample in a supportive material (e.g., paraffin, resin) - Sectioning: Cutting thin slices of the sample (e.g., microtome, vibratome) - Staining: Adding dyes to highlight specific cellular components or molecules (e.g., hematoxylin and eosin, immunohistochemistry)
Microscope Setup:
- Condenser: Focuses light onto the sample - Objective lens: Magnifies the image - Eyepiece lens: Further magnifies the image - Diaphragm: Adjusts the amount of light entering the system - Stage: Holds the slide with the sample
Microscopy Techniques:
- Brightfield microscopy: Transmits light through the sample to create an image - Darkfield microscopy: Transmits light obliquely to create a halo around bright objects - Phase contrast microscopy: Enhances contrast by creating a phase shift in light passing through different structures - Differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy: Provides three-dimensional information by creating a shading effect - Fluorescence microscopy: Uses fluorescent dyes to label and visualize specific molecules - Confocal microscopy: Creates high-resolution images by illuminating and detecting light from a single point - Electron microscopy: Uses an electron beam to create images with extremely high magnification (e.g., transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy)
Image Analysis:
- Morphometry: Measuring the shape and size of cellular structures - Stereology: Estimating the volume, surface area, and connectivity of tissue components - Image processing: Enhancing and analyzing images using computer software (e.g., segmentation, filtering)