An introduction to the microscope with colored illustrations, projects, and activities.

"A celebration of the hidden beauty & variety of microscopic imagery."--Back cover.

This is a brief history of the development of microscopy, from the use of beads and water droplets in ancient Greece, through the simple magnifying glass, to the modern compound microscope. The technology and optical theory are developed in a straightforward manner, and this leads to a description and explanation of the most modern technologies in electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy as well as the new scanning probe microscopies. A series of very interesting applications of the various microscopic techniques are described. The most recent pioneering techniques in near field and confocal optical microscope technologies are described and evaluated for their future importance.

Explores cell structure, bacteria and viruses, and fungi and algae as well as higher plant and animal and human organs

Fascinating introduction to the world of single-celled organisms recounts the feeding, reproductive, and defensive strategies employed by an array of curious creatures: amoeba, paramecium, suctorian, hydra, others. Easy-to-understand language, 37 illustrations.

In The Demon Under the Microscope, Thomas Hager chronicles the dramatic history of sulfa, the first antibiotic and the drug that shaped modern medicine. The Nazis discovered it. The Allies won the war with it. It conquered diseases, changed laws, and single-handedly launched the era of antibiotics. Sulfa saved millions of lives—among them those of Winston Churchill and Franklin Delano Roosevelt Jr.—but its real effects are even more far reaching. Sulfa changed the way new drugs were developed, approved, and sold; transformed the way doctors treated patients; and ushered in the era of modern medicine. The very concept that chemicals created in a lab could cure disease revolutionized medicine, taking it from the treatment of symptoms and discomfort to the eradication of the root cause of illness. A strange and colorful story, The Demon Under the Microscope illuminates the vivid characters, corporate strategy, individual idealism, careful planning, lucky breaks, cynicism, heroism, greed, hard work, and the central (though mistaken) idea that brought sulfa to the world. This is a fascinating scientific tale with all the excitement and intrigue of a great suspense novel.

The world has many facets. Some are easily seen at first glance; others lie hidden, awaiting discovery. Journey into the Invisible gives children a brand-new way of looking at the world we live in, while making the information inside approachable and interesting for young readers. Discover how microscopes are made and what they are actually used for—then begin the exploration! You’ll discover fascinating facts and incredible (and sometimes gross!) images of plants, insects, rocks, water, and even the human body! Included are factoids and microscopic images of: • Human hair • Teeth • Mosquitoes • Tap water • Snow • Sand • Pollen • Leaves • Butterflies • And much more! Learn how the hairs of a nettle behave like tiny hypodermic syringes and that plain old house dust is actually teeming with fascinating microorganisms. With stunning photos and sidebars full of mind-boggling tidbits, this book is sure to appeal to children fascinated by science and the world around them. The perfect addition to any elementary school classroom!