Light Microscope

Light Microscope Light Microscope The light microscope depends on light passing through an object in order for it to be seen. The result is the sections must be very thin, less than 5 micrometers.

Light Microscope Fresh tissue can not be cut this thin because it will be crushed. To avoid this the tissue is: Dehydrated with alcohol to remove water Embedded with paraffin wax to support the tissue so it can be cut. Embedded with paraffin wax to support the tissue so it can be cut.

Microtome

Light Microscope Stains are used to enhance the tissue slide and to allow the histologist to identify various intracellular compounds.

So why is this so important? ◦Everyday tissue samples are taken from people and they need to be evaluated for disease processes like cancer.cancer.

Light Microscope Oil Red O stains for neutral lipids

Light Microscope Haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining is a very common stainHaematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining is a very common stain. Haematoxylin stains the nuclei blue and Eosin stains the cytoplasm pink.

The light microscope PAS staining is used to identify glycogen stored in tissues.

Low Power

Higher Power

Electron Microscope Microscope Require specimens to be about 0.1micrometers in thickness Specimens must be embedded in plastic and stained with heavy metals like osmium tetroxide and uranyl acetate.

Electron Microscope Microscope Magnifications are typically up to 1 million times Cell ultrastructure is easily studied using this device.

Electron Microscope

Light Microscope Parts of a light microscope Parts of a light microscope