Microscope Camera (Mark Yaney)
Author
Mark Yaney
Principles of Microscopy
Microscopy is the technical field of using microscopes to view objects and areas of objects that cannot be seen with the naked eye (objects that are not within the resolution range of the normal eye). There are three well-known branches of microscopy: optical, electron, and scanning probe microscopy (courtesy of Wikipedia).
A typical classroom microscope may provide minimal magnification, with some stereoscopic (twin eyepieces) models going as high as 400x or more. My Flinn Scientific (R) model goes to 400x, when combining the 40x objective and the 10x eyepiece. In my classroom there are only 2 microscopes, and up to 20 students must share them. What is most useful with the digital camera attachment is the capability to share images with the other students via the projector. This particular model (AmScope 5-mega pixel) includes a video function along with the still camera, and a time lapse function that I have yet to investigate.
Standards
HS-LS1-3
Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence that feedback mechanisms maintain homeostasis. [Clarification Statement: Examples of investigations could include heart rate response to exercise, stomate response to moisture and temperature, and root development in response to water levels.] Assessment Boundary: Assessment does not include the cellular processes involved in the feedback mechanism.
Materials needed
To use the camera, certainly you need a microscope to hook it to. The killer application, however is the combination of the projector with the camera. With so few microscopes to work with, all students can share their images by simply trading slides. The camera has a USB input that requires a computer, making this a necessary component, as well. I'm not sure if AmScope is affiliated with ProScope, but the software available on the internet is just that, and it works flawlessly. Last but not least, a subject on a slide would be helpful. As I'm new to microscopy, I'm still learning the ins and outs of slide preparation. Water seems to help a lot. Who knew. My smoothie dried out over the weekend and it didn't look nearly as cool.
Procedure
To use the microscope camera, you must hook it up to the eyepiece on the microscope, and connect the other end to your computer. It will be necessary to download and install software for it, so that must be opened, as well. AmScope uses ProScope software. Once this is set up, you simply use the microscope as usual, only you don't look into the eyepiece. Prepare a slide and clip it to the tray, select an objective, then focus. Voila! (or you can just watch the video)
Pasteur and his Microscope
We may take for granted our awareness of microbes, and the need to disinfect wounds. It goes without saying that not only do we wash the affected area with water, but also we apply a "disinfectant," which we know will kill "germs." Without a microscope we would have no way of see what's really going on, and what it is that we need to denture with alcohol, or other compound.
Louis Pasteur demonstrated that fermentation is caused by the growth of microorganisms, and the emergent growth of bacteria in nutrient broths is due not to spontaneous generation, but rather to biogenesis (Omne vivum ex vivo "all life from life"). He was motivated to investigate the matter while working at Lille. In 1856 a local wine manufacturer, M. Bigot, the father of his student, sought for his advice on the problems of making beetroot alcohol and souring after long storage (courtesy of Wikipedia).
Questions
What do you see?
Is it alive?
What is the structure of it? Describe.