Chapter 14 Self-check Questions and Answers

14.1 How is resolution defined?
Resolution is defined as the smallest distance that can be distinguished between two points

14.2 How do we correct for chromatic aberration?
Using fluorite or apochromatic objectives

14.3 When setting up Koehler illumination, what objective magnification should be used?
10x objective

14.4 In a phase contrast microscope, by how much does the phase plate retard the rays of light?
Quarter of a wavelength

14.5 What is meant by birefringence?
The ability of certain crystals to split light entering the crystal into two different planes of polarisation

14.6 What is digital pathology and what are the main benefits of its widespread use?
Digital pathology is an image-based capture system that is enabled by an integrated computer system. This allows the management and interpretation of information generated from a digitalized scanned slide. The process involves conversion of the images captured from a glass slide preparation into digital captured slides, which can then be viewed, managed analyzed on a computer monitor. This process has coined the phrase ‘virtual’ microscopy. Whole-slide scanning has increased the potential application of this technology worldwide. It represents the most exciting new tool for pathology laboratories and represents improvements in cost-effectiveness, speed and the potential for increased accuracy as a result of reduced human error.