ABSTRACT
An organism can be isolated from the environment and its characteristics compared with those of others. A microbe can thus be assigned to a particular genus and species (identification). All aspects of microbiology involve the use of microscopy. Microscopy also allows the study of the patterns of differentiation which occur throughout growth and development on different substrates, and also reactions of cells to added chemicals and to the presence of other microbes. Research microscopes may have many attachments and facilities so that specific local instructions will be required before any attempt to use these instruments. However, a simple microscope can give an excellent view of specimens, provided that it is set up appropriately. For some work in a microbiology laboratory the use of a stereo (or dissecting) microscope is ideal for examining the surfaces or margins of colonies (particularly fungal) growing on the surface of agar or on natural substrates.
