Quantitative And Qualitative Microscopy

Methods in Neurosciences

Because of the significance of morphology and cellular communication unique to the functioning and interdependence of neural systems, many of the advances in the neurosciences rely on classic as well as new microscopy techniques.A convenient bench-top format**Methods presented for easy adaptation to new systems**Comprehensive protocols included for**Autoradiography: measurement of hormone receptors, high-resolution techniques, double labeling and combined techniques**Statistical and computational methods: video imaging, three-dimensional reconstructions, means of structural quantitation, unbiased sampling methods, measurement of analysis of neuronal connections, staining, and individual axon arbors**Tracing neuronal connections: tracer, toxin, and dye methods**Staining techniques: fluoro-gold, SITS, and silver impregnation**Freezing techniques: freeze fracture and cryoprotection**Combined and high-resolution techniques: double-label tracer techniques, incident light polarization, light and electron microscopic techniques

Methods in Neurosciences

Under The Microscope: A Brief History Of Microscopy

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.