The importance of science in the life of society is very difficult to deny. Scientists and their developments have given society everything that it now enjoys and enjoys. Developments by scientists in different fields allow us to defeat deadly diseases, fight mental disorders, create unique “smart” equipment and even robots. The possibilities of science are truly endless. New faces always bring with them new ideas that become the basis for future developments. However, many developments are based on simple and proven methods.
Many sages of the past said that there is a macro-, microcosm. At that stage of development, people could not grasp the full depth of these words. After all, the macro- and microworld really exist and interact very closely. Tiny changes in cell structure can be caused by global changes in the solar system. Today it is very difficult to prove or disprove such a relationship, but studies of the world of bacteria and cells suggest that the cell is a small Universe.
Microscopy
Microscopy is a scientific study of objects using a microscope. Translated from Greek, this word means "small, small." Microscopy can be divided into several subspecies: optical, multiphoton, x-ray, laser and electronic. The purpose of this research method is to increase the observation of the object and registration of the noticed changes.
Microscope history
At the beginning of its historical development, microscopes were optical instruments that used rays of visible light. Such devices were very weak for observation and suitable only for simple operations. The idea of the appearance of an electron microscope arose at a time when scientists thought about replacing electromagnetic radiation with an electron beam. This event became a reference point for the development of an electron microscope, which greatly expanded the possibilities of observing an object.
Microscopy methods
In order to correctly and thoroughly examine any object, it is necessary to work according to a certain algorithm. Similar algorithms are developed once and applied for years. In order to study the world with the help of special equipment, it is necessary to master special methods. Microscopy methods are a combination of various algorithms, following which you can thoroughly and systematically study a specific object in the microworld. The passage of a light beam through a microscope is accompanied by some changes in the initial characteristics that may be caused by the structural structure of the object. This process may be accompanied by a series of optical effects, such as reflection, absorption, refraction, dispersion, etc.
Light microscopy methods
Light microscopy is a system of methods that use various optical effects to reliably display the results. The visible elements and the nature of the resulting image will largely depend on the lighting. In total, there are a large number of microscopy methods: bright field, oblique illumination, interference contrast, dark field, polarization method, phase contrast, ultraviolet, luminescent, infrared microscopy, confocal microscope.
All these methods have certain advantages and disadvantages. When working with a sample, one or another method should be selected based on its adequacy in a given situation. Strengths and weaknesses of each method are not important in general, the main thing is that the method is applicable in the given conditions.
Microscopy and medicine
The use of microscopy in medicine has great potential. Today, thanks to microscopes, various cells of the human body can be examined in order to accurately determine the state of health. The cells of the body give the most accurate and reliable result, which until recently was impossible to obtain, since microscopes could not give comprehensive information.
The use of such devices is very promising, because the methods of treatment and diagnosis can dramatically change and even go to a new level. Microscopic research has been known and applied for a long time, but science is on the verge of treating a person with cells. This is a unique opportunity that will allow you to move away from the usual methods of treatment and forget about medications. The cell is the most powerful element in the body. It is simply pointless to talk about the benefits that transplantation of healthy cells to a sick person can bring, because it is obvious.
Urinalysis
Urinalysis is a set of measures that are aimed at studying the properties of urine and its physico-chemical composition. Important indicators in this case are color, smell, reaction, transparency, density, as well as the content in the urine of various substances. Microscopy of urine sediment allows you to determine the presence of salts, cellular elements and cylinders. It should be understood that urine is the end product of kidney activity, which can very accurately reflect the state of metabolic processes and blood in the body.
Urine sediment analysis
Microscopy of urine allows you to create a more complete picture with a full examination of the body. Also, a smear is often used for routine and differential diagnosis of diseases of the urinary tract and kidneys. During treatment, urinal microscopy may be prescribed in order to obtain an assessment of the effectiveness of the doctor’s intervention. A urine test allows you to identify specific or potential problems in the water-electrolyte balance of the body, also in the process of metabolism. Urinalysis is very effective in diagnosing diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as in infectious and inflammatory processes in the body. Sometimes urine microscopy is used to monitor the patient's condition during the period of therapeutic or surgical treatment.
Microscopic examination of blood
Blood cells form in the red bone marrow, and then are released into the bloodstream. Each blood cell performs its specific function. White blood cells are needed to fight infectious cells, red blood cells enrich oxygen cells and remove carbon dioxide from them, platelets are very important for hemostasis. Under normal conditions, the human body produces the normative value of all cells, which does not go beyond a certain framework. In the event of any complications or illness, blood cells can change their size, shape, color and quantity. Only through accurate microscopic examination can determine the state of cells and draw the appropriate conclusions.
Blood is the life-giving fluid of the body, which provides the exchange of nutrients between all cells. Blood smear microscopy is a study that is performed under a microscope. The drug is prepared from one drop of blood. This procedure is included in the general blood test or leukocyte formula and is not performed separately.
Smear microscopy
What is a blood smear for? Microscopy of a blood smear gives the specialist very important knowledge about the state of human health. Using this analysis, you can determine the quantitative ratio of red blood cells, platelets, white blood cells, as well as their shape and size. In addition, a clinical blood test allows you to quantify the expression of immature white blood cells, which is a very important point in a number of diseases. Also, a blood smear allows you to qualitatively diagnose diseases that may be associated with impaired blood functions, its formation, coagulation, as well as the destruction of blood cells. A very important task of a microscopic blood smear is to regularly monitor the state of blood cells, their maturity after radiation and chemotherapy, with problems with hemoglobin, as well as with leukemia.
A blood smear is prescribed if a general blood test has shown that the quantitative expression of leukocytes, immature or atypical cells is increased. For smear, you can use biomaterial from blood or capillaries.
Biology and Microscopes
Biology greatly expands the use of microscopes. As mentioned earlier, cytology relies heavily on modern and powerful microscopes. Microscopy in biology opens up unprecedented spaces for experiments and research for scientists. Modern developments allow us now to talk about what the future holds for us.
Microscopy in biology has a very wide application. Devices allow you to study organisms that are inaccessible to the human eye, but are very important for scientific experiments. In biology, the most commonly used method is electron microscopy, which gives an image due to the directed flow of electrons. Moreover, even a light microscope allows you to explore living biological objects.
Phase contrast microscopy is one of the methods that is widely used in microbiology, parasitology, hematology. It allows you to study the cells of microorganisms, plants, animals, count the cells of bone marrow, blood. It is worth noting that phase contrast microscopy is able to identify only the contours of objects.
The method of microscopy in biology is used very actively, since almost all varieties are applicable for biological research. Interference microscopy allows you to explore transparent liquids and objects, as well as give their qualitative analysis. This is possible due to the fact that the beam of light passing through the device bifurcates: one part of it passes through the object, and the other passes by. Thus, two beams interfere and connect, giving a full image.
Microscopy for various applications
The scope of microscopy is very wide. Despite the fact that initially microscopes were intended for research in the field of biology, today the scope of their influence has expanded significantly. Microscopy is a complex of methods that has found its application in the analysis of solids and crystalline bodies, the structure and structures of surfaces. Also, microscopes are actively used in medicine, not only for diagnosis, but also when performing microsurgical operations. Moreover, it is known that scientists developed an underwater laser microscope, the purpose of which is to search for extraterrestrial life in Europe.
Also, one should not forget about the rapid development of nanotechnology, which is inconceivable without microscopes. The development of this industry leads to the fact that the variety of microdevices is constantly being improved. Moreover, new types of microscopes appear that are designed to study a specific environment.
Summing up some results, it should be said that microscopy is a promising area that is developing more and more actively every year. Interest in human stem cells, as well as the development of nanotechnology leads to the fact that microscopes become an integral part of any research work.