Back

MICROSCOPES
Lesson 1 - Page 5

Next 

Marcello Malphighi (1628-1694) was an Italian physician who is credited with using the microscope as a tool in the study of organisms.  He is considered the founder of histology or the study of tissue under the microscope.  He investigated microscopic anatomy of the human body.  He discovered many features that could not be seen without a microscope.  He discovered the relationships of capillaries, veins, and arteries.  He would take tissues of the tongue and discovered taste buds.  In the late 1600’s the microscope started to emerge as a necessary tool in science.

Microscopes in the 1700’s were still not powerful enough to look at some of the tiniest organisms like bacteria very clearly.  As the optics of microscopy became more refined the search for smaller critter evolved.  Louis Pasteur was originally a chemist that evolved into a microbiologist.  The microscope helped guide his research as he tried to understand how symmetry or asymmetry of crystals could influence life.  As he kept researching he would begin to understand how microorganisms were involved in fermentation.  But his greatest achievement for the survival of humans was to understand how vaccines worked and how he can create them in the laboratory.  He found medical problems and used the microscope to aid in understanding and then finding solutions.  The microscope and biology were merged into the new field of microbiology.