Phase-contrast microscopes

Definition

Phase-contrast microscopes enhance the contrast of transparent and colorless specimens by converting phase shifts in light passing through the specimen into brightness changes. This technique is particularly useful for observing live cells without staining.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Phase-contrast microscopy allows visualization of live, unstained cells in their natural state.
2. Invented by Frits Zernike, phase-contrast microscopy earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1953.
3. It works by exploiting differences in refractive index between various cellular components.
4. Common applications include studying cell cycles, motility, and organelle function.
5. Phase-contrast microscopes use a special condenser and objective lenses with a phase ring.

Review Questions

Related terms

Bright-field Microscopy: A basic form of light microscopy where specimens are visualized against a bright background.

Differential Interference Contrast (DIC) Microscopy: A technique that uses optical modifications to enhance contrast in unstained, transparent samples.

Fluorescence Microscopy:

A type of microscopy that uses fluorescence to generate an image from samples labeled with fluorophores.