Question 1: Define magnification in the context of microscopy.

Answer: Magnification is the process of enlarging the appearance of an object through a microscope, making it appear larger than it is actual size.

Question 2: List two types of microscopes commonly used in biology labs.

Answer: Light microscope and electron microscope.

Question 3: Explain why staining is often used when preparing slides for microscopy.

Answer: Staining is used to add color to specimens, which enhances contrast and makes the structures more visible under the microscope.

Question 1: If an object appears 50 mm long under a microscope with a total magnification of 400x, what is the actual size of the object?

Answer: Actual size = Image size / Magnification = 50 mm / 400 = 0.125 mm

Question 2: A slide viewed under a microscope has a real size of 0.02 mm. If the image appears 20 mm long, what is the magnification?

Answer: Magnification = Image size / Real size = 20 mm / 0.02 mm = 1000x

Question 1: Describe the steps involved in preparing a wet mount slide for observing cells under a light microscope.

Answer: The steps include: placing a small sample of the specimen on a clean slide, adding a drop of water or stain if necessary, carefully lowering a cover slip at an angle to avoid air bubbles, and then placing the slide on the microscope stage for viewing.

Question 2: Identify two safety precautions students should follow when using microscopes.

Answer: Handling the microscope with both hands and avoiding direct sunlight exposure to prevent damage or injury.

Question 1: A student observes a cell under a microscope with a total magnification of 1000x. The cell's real diameter is estimated to be 0.0002 mm. What is the measured image diameter in millimeters?

Answer: Image diameter = Magnification × Real diameter = 1000 × 0.0002 mm = 0.2 mm

Question 2: A sample shows that a nucleus appears 1.5 mm long under the microscope at 400x magnification. What is the actual size of the nucleus?

Answer: Actual size = Image size / Magnification = 1.5 mm / 400 = 0.00375 mm

Question 1: Compare light microscopes and electron microscopes in terms of their magnification capabilities and typical uses.

Answer: Light microscopes use visible light and can magnify up to about 2000x, suitable for viewing live specimens and general cell structures. Electron microscopes use electron beams and can achieve much higher magnifications, up to 1,000,000x, allowing detailed observation of cell ultrastructures, but they require vacuum conditions and are not suitable for live samples.

Question 2: Explain why staining is particularly important when using electron microscopes.

Answer: Staining in electron microscopy enhances contrast by increasing electron density in specific structures, making detailed ultrastructures visible because electrons are scattered differently by various materials.

Question 1: Provide one example of how microscopy techniques are used in medical diagnostics.

Answer: Microscopy is used to examine blood samples for detecting parasites, bacteria, or abnormal cells such as cancer cells.

Question 2: Describe a technological advancement in microscopy that has improved biological research.

Answer: The development of electron microscopes has allowed scientists to observe structures at the nanometer scale, greatly enhancing understanding of cell ultrastructure and molecular biology.