Microscopy and magnification Advanced Higher Biology Cell and molecular Biology
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
Magnification How many times bigger the image is compared to original subject. If asked to calculate the size of an object
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
Magnification - example Object 100nm in length How much is it magnified in a photo? Measure object in photo (10mm long)
Magnification - example The measurements need converting to the same unit (usually the smallest) There are 10 000 000nm in 10mm Magnification is: 100 000 times
The effect of progressive magnification of a portion of human skin