​Learning to Estimate Length

When doing microscopy, estimates of length are helpful but not precise. To start, you need to remember that the diameter of the circle of light you see will be considered "100%." The actual length of the diameter (called FOV for Field of View) changes with Total Magnification.

Look at the higher of the two cells (gray shapes with dark nuclei "dots" in the center). How long do you think that cell body is (from top to bottom)?

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​Nerve cell body 100x

​<-- use this FOV on the next slide

​Building your Search Image

When doing microscopy, it is often helpful to have a "search image" in your mind so that you know whether or not an object you find under the microscope is actually the subject of your search. The next slide shows a video clip of a cheek cell cluster that has been stained with Methylene Blue. Total magnification is 400x. While you watch the video, look for the cell membranes and the nuclei.

​<-- use this FOV on the next slide