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Magnificent Microscopes
A microscopeis an instrument that, using lenses, can be used for viewing objects that are too small to be seen by the naked eye.
The term ‘microscope’ is quite a broad one, translating from Greek to mean ‘small aim’, and covers any equipment which is used to magnify small objects. In today’s world, there are many different varieties of microscope, all intended for different purposes. Biologists can use microscopes to see single- celled bacteria in very clear detail, and can probe deep into plant and human body structure. Forensic Scientists use microscopes to examine evidence from crime scenes in immense detail. They play an important part in catching the criminal; identifying them with a single hair or skin cell left at the scene of the crime!
Have a look at some of these amazing images taken using a microscope………
This image shows bacteria in the stomach of a fish!
This amazingly high-tech image illustrates a model of a T-joint made with single atoms! This is a branch of nanotechnology, an increasingly popular field made possible by increasingly superior microscopic equipment.
This microscopic image shows human blood cells, which have been magnified a million times!
So as you can see, the evolution of these amazing instruments is allowing us to probe deeper and deeper into the depths of science!
Some good web links to try:Microscopy UK
