Discovery of the Microscopic World

📚 Key Concepts

🔹 The Journey from Naked Eye to Microscope

For centuries, humans could only observe what their eyes could see. The invention of the lens (named after the lentil seed due to its shape) opened doorways to previously invisible worlds.

Key Historical Milestones:

• 1665: Robert Hooke published “Micrographia”
• 1660s: Antonie van Leeuwenhoek developed better microscopes
• First observation of cells: Cork cells by Robert Hooke
• Father of Microbiology: Antonie van Leeuwenhoek

🔹 What is a Microscope?

A microscope is an instrument that magnifies tiny objects, making them visible to the human eye.

Types of Microscopes:

1. Simple Microscope: Single lens (magnifying glass)
2. Compound Microscope: Multiple lenses (200-400x magnification)
3. Electron Microscope: Uses electrons (up to 10,00,000x magnification)
4. Foldscope: Low-cost paper microscope

Magnification Power:

• Naked Eye: Objects > 0.1 mm
• Magnifying Glass: 2-10 times
• Compound Microscope: 40-1000 times
• Electron Microscope: Up to 2,000,000 times