Histology
- The study of the tissues of the body and how these tissues are arranged to constitute
organs
- Cells and Extracellular Matrix are two interacting components of a tissue
- ECM forms complex structure, supports the cells and contains the fluids transporting in
and out of the cell
- Cells produces ECM locally
Microscope
- Magnifies the image of such objects thus making them visible to the human eye
- Microscopes are used to observe the shape of bacteria, fungi, parasites, and host cells in
various stained and unstained preparations
Compound light microscope
- Is the most common microscope used in routine microscopic examination
2 types of microscopes
- Binocular (double eye piece)
- Monocular (single eye piece)
LIGHT MICROSCOPY
Brightfield Microscopy
- Commonly used type of microscope
- The field of view is brightly lit so that organism and other structures are visible against it
because of their different densities
Darkfield Microscopy
- Field of view is dark and the organisms are illuminated
- A special condenser is used which causes light to reflect from the specimen at an angle
- Used for observing bacteria such as treponemes (which cause syphilis) and leptospira
(which cause leptospirosis)
Phase-Contrast Microscopy
- Allows the examination of live unstained organisms
- Special condensers and objectives are used
- Alter the phase relationships of the light passing through the object and that passing
around it
IMPORTANCE PROPERTISE OF MICROSCOPE
Magnification
- The power of the microscope to enlarge the image of an object
Resolution
- The power of the microscope to show detail clearly
Ocular Objective
10x Red 4 = 40x
10x Yellow 10 = 100x
10x Blue 40 = 400x
10x Black 100 = 1000x
*only use lens paper to clean objectives
PARTS OF A MICROSCOPE
Eyepiece / Ocular
- The specimen is viewed through the eye-piece
- It has a lens which magnifies the image formed by the objective (10x)
- A pointer may be attached to the inside of the eye-piece
Microscope Tube
- Attached on the top of the arm to support the eye-piece on its upper end
Diopter Adjustment
- Change the focus on one eyepiece to compensate for the difference in vision between
your two eyes
Nosepiece
- Attached under the arm of the microscope tube
- Houses the objective and rotates them
Objectives
- Where the image of specimen passes first
- 4x, 10x, 40x, 100x
- Scanning (4x), LPO (Low Power Objective, 10x), HPO (High Power Objective, 40x),
OIO (Oil Immersion Objective, 100x)
- OIO is used to provide best image at high magnification with the use of immersion oil
- Has same refractive index as glass
Mechanical Stage
- Holds the slide and allows it to be moved to the left, right, forward and backward using
the stage controllers
- Fitted with vernier graduations
Condenser
- Illuminates the specimen and controls the amount of light and contrast
Course Adjustment Knob
- Alters this distance rapidly and is used to bring the specimen into the field of view using
an objective having low magnification power
Fine Adjustment Knob
- Changes the distance very slowly and permits better viewing of the object
- The movement should be smooth
Rheostat
- A knob that is turned clockwise in order to increase the light intensity, or counter-
clockwise to reduce the light
Rule of Using a Microscope
- Always carry with 2 hands
- Only use lens paper for cleaning
- Do not force knob
- Always store covered
- Be careful of the cords
How to use Microscope
- Place the slide on the stage
- Use stage clips to secure slide
- Adjust nosepiece to lowest setting (Lowest = shortest objective)
- Look into eyepiece
- Use coarse focus knob
- Focus your desired specimen
