Abstract
Microscopy is synonymous with biology and—in general—biologists won’t venture too far into the world of physics. I first learned about the physics of light during my masters. At first, it was terrifying because biologists and physicists speak different scientific languages. However, I have found it to be of great benefit to my microscopy, and I highly recommend that the microscoper spend some time learning about the physics and behaviour of light. Not only is it a very interesting and historic field of science, it will greatly help you in your understanding of imaging. You do not need to know equations or be able to do complicated mathematics to enjoy some physics. In this chapter, we shall take a look at some of the behaviours of light that are the most pertinent to microscopy.
Learn to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else
Leonardo da Vinci
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Kawamura S, Tachibanaki S (2008) Rod and cone photoreceptors: molecular basis of the difference in their physiology. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 150(4):369–377
Kerker M (1969) The scattering of light and other electromagnetic radiation. Academic Press, New York
Gomelsky M, Hoff WD (2011) Light helps bacteria make important lifestyle decisions. Trends Microbiol 19(9):441–448
Potter GD et al (2016) Circadian rhythm and sleep disruption: causes, metabolic consequences, and countermeasures. Endocr Rev 37(6):584–608
Lamb TD, Pugh EN, Collin SP (2008) The origin of the vertebrate eye. Evol Educ Outreach 1(4):415–426
Nilsson DE, Bok MJ (2017) Low-resolution vision – at the hub of eye evolution. Integr Comp Biol 57(5):1066–1070
Purves W et al (2003) Life – the science of biology. W H Freeman & Co, Gordonsville, VA ISBN-10: 0716719746, ISBN-13: 978-0716719748
Ibbotson M, Crowder N, Cloherty S, Price N, Mustari M (2008) Saccadic modulation of neural responses: possible roles in saccadic suppression, enhancement, and time compression. J Neurosci 28(43):10952–10960
Shulman R (2017) Color blindness and its illuminations. The Pharos, Autumn edition, pp 34–39
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Lawlor, D. (2019). The Science of Light. In: Introduction to Light Microscopy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-05393-2_4
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-05393-2_4
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-05392-5
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-05393-2
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesBiomedical and Life Sciences (R0)