Types of Microscopes and Basic Setup
Think of light microscopes as powerful magnifying glasses that use light and lenses to make specimens bigger. They're brilliant for spotting cells and larger structures inside them, like the nucleus. These are the ones you'll most likely use in your school lab.
Electron microscopes are the superstars of the microscopy world. Instead of light, they fire electrons at specimens to create incredibly detailed images. They can reveal tiny structures like ribosomes and plasmids that light microscopes simply can't show you.
The magnification formula is dead simple: Magnification = Image Size ÷ Actual Size. Remember this triangle trick - cover the value you want to find, and the remaining two show you what to do (multiply or divide).
Quick Tip: When preparing slides, always start with a drop of water in the centre and add iodine solution to make cellular structures stand out with colour!
