Microbiology Practice Test: The Microscopic Examination of Microorganisms — Flashcards

Microscopic Examination of Microorganisms topics include: Light microscope, microbial Stains, transmission and scanning electron microscope. 

Microorganisms are studied and observed using microscopes. However, bacteria have a similar refractive index to water, making them visually opaque. Therefore, microbial cells are routinely stained for clear microscopic examination. 

Here are some microscopic examination techniques for microorganisms:
Gram staining: A microbiological staining procedure that helps identify microorganisms under the microscope.
Capsule staining: A method used to determine if a bacterial cell contains a capsule. If the cell contains a capsule, it will appear as a dark dot.
Electron microscopy: Uses a beam of electrons to illuminate a specimen and produce a magnified image.
Fluorescence microscopy: Offers a higher resolution than conventional light microscopy. It can be used to determine the abundance of microorganisms.
Atomic force microscopy: Provides high resolution topographic images and quantitative information about surface and morphology.
Phase contrast microscope: Used to observe the structure of micro-sized living things without using dyes.
Confocal laser scanning microscopy: Commonly used for structure–function microscopic studies. It can be used for three-dimensional imaging of microbes.