1. Microscopy and magnification
Advanced Higher Biology
Cell and molecular Biology

2. Microscopes Instruments the magnify the image of an object in some way
Light microscope
Long wavelength
Can only distinguish between two objects if they are 0.2µm apart.
Electron microscope
Shorter wavelengths
Can distinguish between objects 0.1nm apart

3. Magnification
How many times bigger the image is compared to original subject.
If asked to calculate the size of an object

4. Magnification
When calculating magnification make sure the units of length are the same for both object and image
unit
symbol
Equiv. in m
Kilometre km
103
Metre mm 1
Millimetre
10-3
micrometre µm
10-6
nanometre nm
10-9

5. Magnification - example
Object 100nm in length
How much is it magnified in a photo?
Measure object in photo (10mm long)

6. Magnification - example
The measurements need converting to the same unit (usually the smallest)
There are nm in 10mm
Magnification is:
times

7. The effect of progressive magnification of a portion of human skin