What Objects in General Would You View With a Compound Light Microscope?

The first microscopes were little more than magnifying glasses, until multiple lenses were used. It was soon found that by using two sets of lenses to create a compound microscope, one could see objects as small as 0.1 microns in size. In the 21st century, compound microscopes are still used to study and learn. The compound microscope is used by students, forensics labs and biologists.

Materials

• Forensics labs use compound microscopes to view threads in materials, cut or torn edges on tape, bones, hair and just about any solid substance. The compound microscope cannot see through thick materials. What it does show is great detail about an object's shape and characteristics. With thinner items where the light can shine through like paper, details in its manufacture can be found. When looking for two of the exact same materials, a compound microscope is perfect for the job.

Chemicals

• Liquid and solid chemicals can be viewed under a compound microscope. This would also encompass items such as sawdust, sand, dirt and dust. Rocks can be studied under the microscope once crushed into powder form. As with materials, it's the outer structure that can be seen. By studying these substances, researchers can learn what each chemical or substance looks like. Mixing chemicals with liquids helps to see what happens as the chemical dissolves.

Plants and Food

• In-depth studies have been done on plants and food using compound microscopes. The plant's leafs' internal workings can be seen when light shines through, creating photosynthesis. Cutting different plants, vegetables and meat into thin slices allows viewing of the cellular structure. The most common example of this is the onion peel, an experiment that many students have done. Labs commonly test for foreign organisms in food with a compound microscope.

Cells and Micro-organisms

• Biology is the most known use for compound microscopes. Microbes such as fungi and algae are studied on a regular basis. All types of bacteria and single-celled animals like the amoeba can be seen in great detail. Medical research uses it for the study of cells and viruses. Under the microscope, bacteria can be introduced to cells and studied for any reaction. Cells need to be stained in order to be visible.