observing cells - fluorescent microscopes

Question 1

How does fluorescent microscopes work

Answer 1

• Illuminating light passes through a filter (getting rid of unwanted wavelengths)
• Then goes through objective lens
• Light emitted goes through dichroic mirror and ocular lens o get rid of unwanted wavelengths
  Then picked up by a computer

Question 2

How can imaging be improved

Answer 2

• computer software enhancement
• confocal microscopy (3D specimens)

Question 3

How is confocal microscopy different from widefeild

Answer 3

• Uses lasers instead of light beam
• The laser goes through a pinhole
• This increases accuracy
• We can use this to direct into one focal plane
• 2nd pinhole opening for that specific light beam
• Makes it very focused