Photomicrograph is a word commonly used in the field of microscopy to refer to an image of a small object taken with a camera attached to a microscope. The word is spelled phonetically as /fəʊtəʊmaɪkrəʊɡrɑːf/, with the stress on the second syllable. The word "photo" comes from the Greek root "phos" meaning light, while "micro" means small and "graph" means image. Therefore, the word "photomicrograph" literally means a small image captured with light. Its correct spelling is important for scientists and researchers who use it frequently in their work.
A photomicrograph refers to a specialized type of photograph that captures magnified images of objects or specimens using a microscope. It is a combination of two terms, "photo" which represents photography and "micrograph" which signifies an image taken through a microscope. A photomicrograph is created by aligning a camera, typically a digital or film-based one, with a microscope's eyepiece or ocular lens.
Photomicrographs play a crucial role in scientific research, education, and documentation in various fields, including biology, medicine, chemistry, and materials science. They allow researchers and professionals to study small or microscopic objects, such as cells, tissues, bacteria, and minerals, in finer and greater detail. By capturing these images, photomicrographs enable scientists to analyze and document the structure, composition, and behavior of these minuscule elements.
The process of obtaining a photomicrograph involves adjusting the microscope's lighting to enhance visibility and contrast, selecting appropriate lenses to achieve the desired magnification, and capturing the image using the attached camera equipment. Modern advancements in microscopy and digital imaging have greatly improved the quality and versatility of photomicrography. The resulting images can be further enhanced, manipulated, or analyzed using computer software, making them valuable for professional publications, presentations, and study materials.
Overall, a photomicrograph is an indispensable tool in scientific exploration, allowing researchers to observe and study the intricate structures and patterns at the microscopic level, aiding in the advancement and dissemination of scientific knowledge.
An enlarged photograph of an object as seen under the microscope. Distinguished from microphotograph.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "photomicrograph" is a combination of two roots: "photo" and "micrograph".
The root "photo" is derived from the Greek word "phōs" (φῶς), meaning "light". This root is commonly used in words related to light and photography, such as "photograph" or "photosynthesis".
The root "micrograph" is derived from the Greek word "mikrós" (μικρός), meaning "small", and "graphē" (γραϕή), meaning "writing" or "drawing". Therefore, "micrograph" refers to a small or microscopic image or representation.
Combining these two roots, "photomicrograph" refers to an image or photograph taken through a microscope, capturing a small or microscopic subject.