CARE & MAINTENANCE OF THE MICROSCOPE

Microscope is a piece of instrument or equipment used by microbiologists to examine microorganisms and objects which are too small to be seen by the naked eye. They are also used by biologists and other scientists because microscope allows investigators to observe objects that are invisible to the naked eye.

When materials are examined under the microscope (Figure 1); the objects being observed are magnified in such a way that they produce an image that can be seen by the eyes of the observer. There are several types of microscopes available for examining the microbial and/or unseen world of microorganisms. Examples of microscopes include light microscope and electron microscope amongst others.

MAINTENANCE/CARE OF THE MICROSCOPE

• Read the owner’s manual carefully before operating the microscope.

• Carry the microscope with care (as a delicate object) to avoid dropping it.

• Unplug the microscope from the power source when not in use.

• Clean the microscope with clean dry towel after use, and return it to its box.

REFERENCES

Cheesbrough, M (2006). District Laboratory Practice in Tropical countries Part I Cambridge

Chung K.T, Stevens Jr., S.E and Ferris D.H (1995). A chronology of events and pioneers of microbiology. SIM News, 45(1):3–13.

Dictionary of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, 3^rd Edition. Paul Singleton and Diana Sainsbury. 2006, John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Canada.

Goldman E and Green L.H (2008). Practical Handbook of Microbiology, Second Edition. CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group, USA.

Madigan M.T., Martinko J.M., Dunlap P.V and Clark D.P (2009). Brock Biology of microorganisms. 12^th edition. Pearson Benjamin Cummings Publishers. USA.

Nester E.W, Anderson D.G, Roberts C.E and Nester M.T (2009). Microbiology: A Human Perspective. Sixth edition. McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc, New York, USA.

Prescott L.M., Harley J.P and Klein D.A (2005). Microbiology. 6^th ed. McGraw Hill Publishers, USA.

Willey J.M, Sherwood L.M and Woolverton C.J (2008). Harley and Klein’s Microbiology. 7^th ed. McGraw-Hill Higher Education, USA.