Introductory Microbiology

The Microscopic examination of microorganisms

• The microscope is the instrument most characteristic of the microbiology laboratory. The magnification it provides or enables us to see microorganisms and their structures otherwise invisible to the naked eye. The magnifications attainable by microscopes range from x 100 to x 400,000. In addition, several different kinds of microscopy are available, and many techniques have been developed by which specimens of microorganisms can be prepared for examination. Each type of microscopy and each method of preparing specimens for examination offers advantages for demonstrations of specific morphological features.