Cells

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Types of Data in Microscopy

You can use microscope images to collect data like numbers, size and estimations.

This is a magnified view of the lower surface of a leaf

We can use this image to record different kinds of data.

What does the word "data" mean?

A) Video B) Image C) Information

Numbers

We can use images from microscopes to count things.

How many cells can you count in this view?

Sizes

We can use images from microscopes to measure things.

How long are the guard cells in the magnified image?

How much has the image been magnified?

So the image of the guard cell is $6 \space mm$ after it has been magnified $\times 200$ . How big is the real guard cell in $mm$ ?

The real guard cell is $0.03 \space mm$ long. How much is that in micrometres, $\mu m$ ?

So you can use measurements of size in the image to work out how big the real object is

$real \space object \space size = \frac{image \space size}{magnification}$ In this example, the real guard cell is $30 \space \mu m$ long.

Estimations

From the size of one thing in the image, we can estimate the size of another thing.

The real guard cell is $30 \mu m$ long, so how wide is it approximately?

A) $40 \mu m$ B) $20\mu m$ C) $10 \mu m$

Summary!

You can use microscope images to collect different kinds of data.

For example

You can collect data about numbers and sizes which you can use to also give estimates.