Why use a microscope ?

The microscope opens the doors to a world invisible to the naked eye. It allows us to discover the smallest details of living or inert matter: bacteria , cells , plant fibers, etc. Whether for educational or scientific use or simply out of curiosity, observing with a microscope stimulates the spirit of observation and the thirst for knowledge.

According to ScienceDaily, 85% of children with access to a microscope develop an increased interest in natural science after just 3 observation sessions.

Understanding Microscope Magnification

Magnification is the factor by which the image of an object is enlarged. For example, a 40x magnification allows an object to be seen 40 times larger than with the naked eye.

Microscopes offer several objectives (e.g., 4x, 10x, 40x, 100x). When combined with the eyepiece, the total microscope magnification can be obtained from 40x to 1000x depending on the model.

Some bacteria like E. coli are about 2 microns (0.002 mm) in size: a microscope magnification of at least 1000x is required to observe them clearly.

What to see with a microscope ?

Human body

• Skin cells : visible from 50x
• Hair and fur : roots, keratin, bulbs
• Red and white blood cells : present in the blood
• Saliva : rich in bacteria and cells (with coloring)
• Tears : crystals and proteins when drying

On average, blood contains 5 million red blood cells per microliter.

Microbes and bacteria

Observe bacteria under a microscope : in yogurt, the mouth, or stagnant water. Methylene blue dye helps distinguish them better.

A smartphone contains on average 10 times more bacteria than a toilet seat.

Personal observations

Observing sperm under a microscope allows us to study their mobility and shape. A powerfuloptical microscope and good lighting conditions are required.

Observe nature : fauna and flora

• Insect wings (fly, bee, butterfly)
• Spider threads (tangled fibrils)
• Onion under the microscope : membrane, nucleus, cytoplasm
• Pollen : forms vary depending on the species
• Leaves : stomata, veins, tissues

Pollen from some flowers can be up to 100 microns in size.

Samples easy to observe under a microscope

• Dust : textile fibers, minerals, spores
• Stagnant water : algae, bacteria , protozoa
• Salt : crystals formed when drying

80% of stagnant water samples contain motile protozoa visible at 100x.

Beginner's Guide to Microscope Observation

1. Prepare a sample

• Clean slide + drop of distilled water
• Add coloring if necessary (methylene blue)
• Cover with a thin slice

2. Choose the right magnification

Start small (10x or 40x), then gradually adjust.

3. Security

Use gloves if handling biological fluids and clean the microscope after use.

Immortalize your observations

With a digital microscope , capture your images or videos for later analysis.

Most modern digital microscopes offer resolution up to 12 MP with 1080p video.

In conclusion

Observing under a microscope , accessible from a very young age, is a fantastic tool for scientific awakening. It allows you to discover the invisible and deepen your understanding of the world.

Discover our collection of microscopes

Access our selection of microscopes for kids and start exploring the microscopic world today.