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Which of the following things can limit resolution?

1) color of the specimen
2) the wavelength of illumination
3) the numerical aperture
4) the magnification power of the ocular lens

User Jack Jay
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

Limitations in resolution are influenced by the wavelength of illumination and the numerical aperture of the lens, but not the specimen's color or the magnification power of the ocular lens.

Step-by-step explanation:

The factors that can limit resolution in microscopy are fundamentally linked to the physics of light and the characteristics of the microscope optics. The color of the specimen itself does not limit resolution. However, the wavelength of illumination deeply influences resolution, where shorter wavelengths, like blue light, can resolve smaller details compared to longer wavelengths, such as red light.

Another critical factor is the numerical aperture (NA) of the lens, which is related to its ability to collect light; higher NA values result in better resolution. Finally, the magnification power of the ocular lens does not inherently limit resolution; however, magnifying an image without a corresponding increase in resolution will not reveal more detail. This is because resolution, not magnification, determines how clearly we can distinguish between two close points as distinct.

User Gregdim
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