Question

define the following of a microscope

(a) Magnification

(b) resolution

(c) depth of field

(d) field of view

(2) what are the differences between a stereo microscope and a compound microscope

Answer 1

a) Magnification: Magnification of microscope can be defined as the ability of a microscope to enlarge/magnify the object image with the help of lenses.

• Magnification of microscope depends of the power of lenses used.
• Itis the product of the power of lenses of objective and eye piece
• Eg. the magnifying power of a microscope with a 40X objective lens and 5X eye piece lens will be 40 x 5 = 200X

b) Resolution: The capability of a microscope/lens to distinguish the shortest distance between two points in a specimen. The higher the resolution the higher the clarity of the image will be

c) Depth of field: it is the depth or thickness of the object planes that is simultaneously in focus. Usually measured in micrones. Shen magnification increases, depth of field decrease.

d) Field of view: The diameter of the area of view covered by the microscope. We can see a circular area when we look through the microscope. The diameter of thie area is called field of view

2. Differences between a stereo microscope and a compound microscope

Sl.No	Stereo microscope	Compound microscope
1	Magnification Low	Magnification high
2	Resolution low	Resolution high
3	Large field of view	Small field of view
4	Enhanced depth of field	Less depth of field
5	Suitablefor morphological studies	Suitable for anatomical and morphological (at low magnification) studies
6	Larger objects can be studies	Small/section of the objects can be studied