Light microscopes work by employing visible light to detect small objects, making it a useful research tool in the field of biology. Despite the many advantages that are possible with this equipment, many students and teachers are unaware of the full range of features that are possible. Because the cost of the instrument increases with its versatility and quality, the best ones are not usually available to most academic programs. That makes it challenging to provide a well-rounded education to anyone except those who can afford the expense. Show Despite the changes in feature availability which are present with light microscopes today, even beginner model can help students to begin seeing the vast array of views that are possible when we start looking inward instead of outward. This instrument can even help teachers to conduct some reasonably sophisticated assignments and experiments without a massive investment in the program. Many people believe that the key to getting the most out of a microscope is to get a strong enough magnification. There are actually four different challenges that come before this issue: sufficient contrast, finding the focal plane, resolution levels, and recognizing the subject. If you are getting ready to begin studying in the field of biology, then these are the advantages and disadvantages of light microscopes to review. List of the Advantages of Light Microscopes1. Light microscopes are relatively easy to use. Entry-level models for student studying are about $100 per unit. If you pay about $250, then you will receive a top-of-the-line option that can take you through your student career or provide more teaching opportunities. Upper echelon models are typically priced between $10,000 to $50,000, depending on the exact features that you want. 2. Light microscopes are small and lightweight. You won’t receive this advantage if you are trying to use an electron microscope for your work. Some models require an entire room for their operations, which means you need to bring the research to it instead of taking your equipment to where you need to work. 3. Light microscopes offer high levels of observational quality. If you were to use an electron microscope, then everything you would see would be in black and white. That outcome occurs because electrons do not possess any color since there is no light involved. When a better visual impression is necessary, one must add artificial coloring to the results, which you receive automatically when using a light microscope. 4. Light microscopes are unaffected by electromagnetic fields. 5. Light microscopes do not require radiation to operate. When you work with a premium-quality light microscope, then you can still see many of the critical details that are necessary for the learning process. You will receive details about the cell walls of your sample, bacteria that may be present, and even nuclei details or cellular components to facilitate your progress through the curriculum. 6. Light microscopes require very little training. 7. Light microscopes allow you to observe living organisms. You won’t be able to observe every structure of some living things because of the natural limitations of light’s wavelengths, but you will get a good sense of what the cellular components of your sample are when using this equipment. 8. Light microscopes come with two common options to use. Stereo (dissecting) microscopes provide users with an opportunity to observe larger specimens if they are opaque. They can only magnify up to 70 times with even the top-tier models, but you will receive a panoramic view of what you are studying. The image delivered to each eye is slightly different with this option, which is why the view is beneficial. You don’t need to go through the process of elaborate sample preparation with a dissecting microscope either. 9. Light microscopes have a minor maintenance cost compared to other models. If you have a single ocular microscope that you are using, then there is nothing you need to do with the eyepiece except to keep it clean. 10. Light microscopes can use fluorescent lights to display a sample visually. 11. Light microscopes are fully adjustable to the comfort level of the user. One or both of the eyepieces on a binocular-style light microscope might offer a telescoping feature as well, allowing you to perfect the focus while working. Since the average person doesn’t have eyes that match perfectly, most will focus on one eyepiece to match the other to create the necessary outcome for study. List of the Disadvantages of Light Microscopes1. Light microscopes do not magnify at the same level as other options. Although some electron microscopes go into magnification factors that are in the millions, you would spend several thousand dollars on the average optical microscope with a 2,000x resolution. You can grab a student electron model for less than $500. 2. Light microscopes have a lower resolution. When you compare this style to an electron microscope, the disadvantage becomes clear when compared to light microscopes. An electron microscope can magnify up to 2 million times, allowing you to visualize structures that are rarely visible when using a form of optical microscopy. 3. Light microscopes make it challenging to view living internal structures. 4. Light microscopes cannot operate in darkness. This disadvantage applies to some of the smaller objects that you may wish to study in the world of biology as well. A micrometer, which is often referred to as a “micron,” is one-thousandth of a millimeter. Light microscopes use a white light wave that is the equivalent of 0.55 microns. That means you cannot observe the details of anything smaller than 50% of the wavelength with clarity, which is 0.275 microns. 5. Light microscopes cannot provide three-dimensional renderings. 6. Light microscopes require you to have an expectation of what you want to find. When you have an electron microscope (especially a scanning model), then you have an equipment option which can allow you to match the pictures you see with current textbooks, online resources, and other research materials. You do not have that luxury when using a light microscope. 7. Light microscopes can come with very low magnification caps. Is a Light Microscope the Best Option for Your Studies?The advantages and disadvantages of a light microscope are taking advantage of an explosion in technological evolution that is occurring in this field. Advanced models that include fluorescent lighting making it possible for researchers to see two different proteins at the same location without requiring dyes that could harm the sample. When using the standard red and green markers, they overlap to form a yellow color that makes it easier than ever before to identify key components. Although a light microscope does not come with the advanced components of an electron microscope, a compound model is very affordable and easy to use. You can still access more information about the micro-world when studying biology while enjoying an exceptional level of portability. That is why almost everyone’s first microscope ends up being a light microscope. Author Bio |