Dissecting microscopes are low power microscopes that are known to be used in laboratory experiments involving animal dissection. However, they can be also used in other microscope activity that range from elementary and high school level to university and research laboratory level activities. If you have a low power dissecting microscope in hand, then this article will help you get acquainted with your microscope and the many different functions it can do.

Dissecting microscopes are low power microscopes. This means that unlike high power microscopes, its magnification power only allows the user to view a highly magnified surface of the object. It does not go further deeper into the micro-structure of the specimen. For example, if you look at your finger under a low power dissecting microscope, you will see the ridges of your skin as well as the pores but nothing more to the extent of the cells. That is why these low power microscopes can be used as a child microscope wherein the kids and students can begin their microscope knowledge.

These low power microscopes are easy to use and therefore are child-friendly. The user only has to look through the microscope eyepiece and slightly adjust the lighting and microscope objectives. A low power microscope can be a simple toy microscope for a child who is only beginning to use a microscope. For this, parents can choose to buy a kid microscope or a child microscope which provides a better magnification power than that of a toy microscope.

Student microscopes are almost like microscopes for children, only that these have a higher magnification power and provide a clearer image to the users. The quality of performance of student microscopes depend on the educational level it is being used on. Elementary and high school science laboratory classes may use almost the same student microscopes. Universities, on the other hand, use microscopes that are a little high-end than its counterparts. This is because laboratory experiments and researches conducted at universities require more specific fields of studies as compared to those in the lower levels.

These schools may employ low power student microscopes that have a trinocular port where a camera can be attached for taking still images or videos. The videos can be projected onto a wall, transferred to a computer in digital format or be watched on a television. A teaching microscope is also used wherein a low power microscope has multiple viewing stations to allow as many as five people to view the specimen at the same time.

From elementary, high school and university level student microscopes, we go to low power dissecting microscopes that are used for professional as well as research purposes. Some of these low power microscopes are modified to suit the applications where they are used for but still retain its function of viewing the surface of the specimen in high magnifications.

Low power microscopes have a limited use in biological applications. The limit of its magnification power only allows these microscopes to be used for close-up examination of microscopic biological cultures as well as cell aggregates, biopsies and the like. A dissecting microscope that is used for surgical operations is called an operating microscope. Operating microscopes have customized parts that suit the kind of operation it is being used for (ophthalmic surgery, ENT surgery, neurosurgery, etc.)

While these low power dissecting microscopes have a limited usage in the field of biology, these microscopes are very essential in non-biological applications such as in the industrial and electronics field. Low power microscopes are used for gadget inspection, circuit board soldering, repair and evaluation. In non-biological science fields such as petrology, these low power microscopes are used for identifying rocks as well as other nature items. Forensic science also uses low power microscopes in comparing trace evidences such as bullet fragments, cartridge casings, threads, fingerprints and many more. Gemology or the study of gemstones as well as crystallography or the study of crystals use a modified low power microscopes in grading gems and crystals and deciphering surface defects. This type of microscope uses a darkfield condenser in order to view the specimen in a brighter and clearer light.

You never really know where a simple low power dissecting microscope can perform its wonders. It can be used by students as well as professionals. That is why it is very important for a budding microscopist to learn the basics of a low power microscope.

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