This diagram covers Magnification and Resolution within Microscopy for GCSE Biology. Light and electron microscopes, magnification and resolution calculations, specimen preparation, staining techniques, and practical microscopy skills It is section 5 of 20 in this topic. Focus on the labels, the relationships between parts, and the explanation that turns the diagram into an exam-ready answer.
🔢 Magnification and Resolution
🔍 Magnification
Definition: How many times larger an image appears compared to the actual object
Total Magnification Formula:
Total Magnification = Eyepiece × Objective Lens
Example: ×10 eyepiece × ×40 objective = ×400 total magnification
Common Combinations:
- ×4 objective: ×40 total (scanning)
- ×10 objective: ×100 total (low power)
- ×40 objective: ×400 total (high power)
- ×100 objective: ×1000 total (oil immersion)
🎯 Resolution
Definition: The ability to distinguish between two separate points that are close together
- Light microscopes: ~0.2 μm resolution limit
- Human eye: ~100 μm resolution
- Better resolution = clearer, sharper images
- Limited by wavelength of light used
Important: High magnification is useless without good resolution - you get a bigger but blurry image!
Practice questions for Microscopy
What is magnification?
Explain why specimens are stained before viewing under a light microscope.