Over the past several centuries, we have learned to manipulate light to peer into previously invisible worlds—those too small or too far away to be seen by the naked eye. Through a microscope, we can examine microbial cells and colonies, using various techniques to manipulate color, size, and contrast in ways that help us identify species and diagnose disease. This chapter explores how various types of microscopes manipulate light in order to provide a window into the world of microorganisms. By understanding how various kinds of microscopes work, we can produce highly detailed images of microbes that can be useful for both research and clinical applications.
Thumbnail: A compound microscope in a Biology lab. Image used with permission (CC -BY-SA 4.0; Acagastya).
Katika karne kadhaa zilizopita, tumejifunza kutumia nuru ili kuona ulimwengu ambao haukuonekana hapo awali - ulimwengu mdogo sana au ulio mbali sana usioweza kuonekana kwa jicho la kawaida. Kwa kutumia darubini, tunaweza kuchunguza chembe na makoloni ya viini, kwa kutumia mbinu mbalimbali za kurekebisha rangi, ukubwa, na tofauti kwa njia zinazotusaidia kutambua spishi na kugundua magonjwa. Sura hii inaelezea jinsi aina mbalimbali za darubini zinavyotumia mwangaza ili kutoa mtazamo wa ulimwengu wa viumbe wadogo. Kwa kuelewa jinsi aina mbalimbali za darubini zinavyofanya kazi, tunaweza kutengeneza picha za kina sana za vimelea ambavyo vinaweza kuwa na manufaa kwa ajili ya utafiti na matumizi ya kliniki. Picha ndogo: Darubini ya mchanganyiko katika maabara ya Biolojia. Picha kutumika kwa ruhusa (CC-BY-SA 4.0; Acagastya).