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This lesson covers microscopy as required by AQA GCSE Biology specification 4.1.1, including the Required Practical: Using a light microscope to observe, draw, and label a selection of plant and animal cells. You need to understand the different types of microscope, calculate magnification, and describe how to prepare and observe microscope slides.
There are two main types of microscope you need to know about: light microscopes and electron microscopes.
Light microscopes use visible light and glass lenses to magnify specimens. They were first developed in the 1590s by Hans and Zacharias Janssen, and have been refined over centuries. Robert Hooke used a light microscope to observe cells for the first time in 1665.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Maximum magnification | About x1500 |
| Maximum resolution | About 200 nm (0.2 um) |
| Type of image | Can view living or dead specimens, in colour |
| Specimen preparation | Thin sections, often stained with dyes |
| Cost | Relatively inexpensive |
| Size | Portable — can be used in classrooms and field work |
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