Who built and used the first microscope with magnification of around 300x?

Study for the History of Microbiology Exam. Learn about key figures, groundbreaking discoveries, and historical advancements with engaging flashcards and challenging multiple choice questions. Prepare effectively for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Who built and used the first microscope with magnification of around 300x?

Explanation:
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek is the one who built and used the first microscope capable of around 300x magnification. He crafted tiny, high-quality single-lens microscopes by grinding and polishing glass lenses and mounting them in simple frames. These compact devices could magnify objects about 200–300 times, which allowed him to observe living microorganisms—bacteria, protozoa, and more—in samples like pond water and dental plaque. This hands-on development and use of high-m Magnification lenses opened up the microscopic world for the first time. The other figures are known for medical innovations—Lister for antiseptic surgery, Semmelweis for handwashing to prevent puerperal fever, Jenner for the smallpox vaccine—not for building high-magnification microscopes.

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek is the one who built and used the first microscope capable of around 300x magnification. He crafted tiny, high-quality single-lens microscopes by grinding and polishing glass lenses and mounting them in simple frames. These compact devices could magnify objects about 200–300 times, which allowed him to observe living microorganisms—bacteria, protozoa, and more—in samples like pond water and dental plaque. This hands-on development and use of high-m Magnification lenses opened up the microscopic world for the first time. The other figures are known for medical innovations—Lister for antiseptic surgery, Semmelweis for handwashing to prevent puerperal fever, Jenner for the smallpox vaccine—not for building high-magnification microscopes.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy