• Question: I like looking at things under microscopes too! I was just wondering if you can do any other jobs apart from yours that you can use a microscope for? thanx :)

    Asked by laurab to Rachael on 20 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Rachael Ward

      Rachael Ward answered on 20 Jun 2011:

      Hi @laurab

      Great question!

      Yes, there are loads of different jobs that require microscopes.

      I study the brain but you could use microscopes to study almost all aspects of biology – animals, plants, etc.
      Geologists use them to look at soil and rock and metals.
      Forensic scientists use them – you may have seen this on shows like CSI?
      Hygine and health experts use them to check for bugs and bacteria.
      Pathologists in hospitals use them to look at samples from patients to work out whats wrong with them.

      A cool thing now is the development of “nanotechnology”. This is designing tiny bits of tech such as tiny microchips and cameras that you need a microscope to see and make. This website describes it well:
      http://www.explainthatstuff.com/nanotechnologyforkids.html

      People even use microscopes to help them design new shampoos – they want to look at a really high magnification to look at the structure of the shampoo to see if it will be “foamy” enough!

      So loads and loads of things! More than I can think of or tell you about here. I’m glad you like using microscopes too and hope you have the oportunity to follow this if you want in the future. Maybe your teacher could help with some ideas too if you ask them?

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