Why do you think microorganisms were discovered? Was it because of the brilliance in the scientists’ heads, or was it because of previous discoveries that made biological studies possible? Well, microbiology microscopy gave way to detailed study of microorganism, and thanks to scientists optical devices to support it were harnessed. 

M&M (Microbiology and Microscopes)

Could you imagine life without the knowledge of bacteria and virus? Good thing that microbiology is known to man because doctors and scientists can manipulate these creatures for us not to be terribly sick or affected by their existence. However, if it weren’t for developments in microscopes none of these will ever be known.

The existence of microorganisms was first demonstrated in the 1660s, when England’s Robert Hooke the created compound microscope and Holland’s Antoni van Leeuwenhoek constructed the powerful lenses. Through the efforts of Hooke Leeuwenhoek various microbes were illustrated and further studied.

French scientist Louis Pasteur, often regarded as the founder of modern microbiology, will remain unknown without the discoveries of microscope. His discoveries will not materialize with the proper optical device to examine microorganism.

Microbiology has been fully stabilized in the 1930s due to the creation of the electron microscope. This optical device made the discovery of and observation of viruses possible. Thanks to the electron microscope the first virus, tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), was isolated and studied. Also, because of the existence of the microscope some pathogenic microbes have been determined and cured through the aid of antibiotics.

It was through the help of microscopes that viruses were revealed to be nucleoprotein chains of RNA or DNA. Thus, another biological study, genetics, benefited from microscopes.

Conventional Electron Microscope in Modern Microbiology

Modern microbiology is marking its success in countering different microbes through the efficacy of electron microscopes.

Remember that the electron microscope was created to satisfy the limitations brought by ordinary compound microscopes and light microscopes. Through the electron microscope’s magnification, that implores the effectiveness of the short wavelengths of electron beams in motion in producing images, fine features are resolved.

Electron microscope is not only used in cellular biological studies and molecular biology, but also in microbiology because of its major contribution in the exploring the intricacies of the structure of microorganisms.

Another thing which permitted electron microscope’s popularity in the field of microbiology is the truth that only those extremely thin objects are the ones to be viewed under such microscope. Why? Well, because according to scientists specimens must oppose beam damage and vacuum dehydration—if otherwise happens then the barrage of the moving electrons will result to tremendous overheating and consequent damage.

If the object placed under the electron microscope is thick multiple scattering of electrons will destroy the contrast of image, thus you will see entirely dimmed specimens of no identifying structure.

Modern Electron Microscopes in Modern Microbiology

Nowadays, electron microscopes have evolved. You cannot only use them in microbiology but also in other fields like medicine, geology, and archaeology.  Instead of imploring light, these optical devices position a stream of electrons at the object to be scrutinized and attached the microscope in computers which would analyze how electrons are spread by the specimen.

The transmission electron microscopes, for example, are one of the newest electron microscopes available in the market. Through using this device a scientist can get a view of 2-D pieces of the specimen at various depths. You will feel satisfied using this kind of microscope because this powerful gadget has very high rates and degrees of resolution and magnification and the resolution. Meaning objects are very visible and sharp.

Scanning electron microscopes, on the other hand, are quite different although they are both modern versions of the standard electron microscope. In this device objects are scanned in a gold-plated angle to give a 3-D vision of the surface of the material. However, this optical instrument provides a black and white view while giving an amazing picture of the minute particles.

You see immediately the difference of the scanning electron microscope (SEM) with other microscopes. While this microscope implores a detector matched with a focused electron beam in viewing the specimen, its magnification is controlled by the area and length observed of the material.

Microbiology microscopy is the key to studying the specimens unknown to our naked eyes. Through this and the instruments thereof whatever microbes come our way will definitely be controlled, identified, and cured.