Vital Information About Unicellular Organisms And Application Of Dark Field Light Microscopy

There are many unicellular organisms abounding our planet and their behaviors and reactions are very interesting to study and observe. It should be noted that certain organisms yield benefits but some can be harmful and fatal. It is in this light that many scientists nowadays are continuously studying and observing unicellular or multi-cellular organisms. Dark field light microscopy is important for studying unicellular microorganisms. There are many techniques that can be used and all depends on the unicellular organisms to be observed. Among the many unicellular organisms are:

1. Ciliates which are one of the most common kinds of unicellular organisms. They are usually spherical or oval in shapes and are covered with layers of cilia or tiny hairs. Cilia help them ingest food and propel.

2. Protists which are organisms classified neither under bacteria, plants or animals. Like ciliates and amoebas, they are single celled and more animal-like organisms. The distinctions among these organisms are vague; they can feed on organic matter but also contains chloroplasts that can be used for photosynthesis.

3. Flagella which are whip like structured organisms which are used for feeding, locomotion or other purposes. Humans and generally all organisms at some stage of their lives have flagella. Flagella have the same basic designs.

4. Euglena which are organisms that can multiply rapidly and can easily make the pond’s water bright green in color. Euglena can change their shape by flexing their bodies. When left in the dark, these organisms can loose their pigments and can start feeding on organic matter.

5. Spirochetes which have long coiled cells with flagella. Flagellum lets them move in twisting manner. Spirochetes have three families. There are certain groups which can cause disease.

6. Bacteria which lack organelles and practically invisible to naked eye. Every bacterium is surrounded by cell wall and is reproduced through binary fission. Bacterium develops spores not to reproduce but to survive. Under favorable condition, bacteria can rapidly grow; they can double in as fast as 10 minutes.

7. Eukaryotes which are another form of unicellular organisms consist of single cell throughout their life cycle. There are however eukaryotes with multiple cells.

Unicellular organisms can be unimportant to us because of their unnoticeable effects but they hold an important role in the cycle of life. Recently, some researchers in Georgia discovered that some unicellular organisms contribute to the fertility of oceans by moving useful elements (such as nitrogen) of the ocean to the upper layer of the water and atmosphere. This only proves the benefit that unicellular organisms can give.

The trouble with unicellular organisms is that they can easily be mistaken as a piece of decaying matter. Examination of these organisms under dark field light microscopes can yield delicate flat structures. There are structures which are sometimes visible and protruding but some are not.

The above unicellular organisms can be examined carefully with the use of dark field light microscopes. These microscopes use special condenser to lead light away from objective lens thus giving an optical effect. Organisms will brightly emerge against dark background. These microscopes are more vital in examining very tiny organisms like spirochetes since some tiny organisms cannot be seen by regular fluorescence microscopes.

Dark field light microscopy can confirm the position and shapes of certain viable organisms. Unicellular organisms can be closely explored and investigated with the use of these microscopes. With this method, the structure and functions of the animal and plant cells are studied.

With the use of dark field microscopes, the organism’s motility can also be observed. Motility or the movement of organisms in certain ways and directions are important to know how organisms changes and adapt to their environment. Vital processes such as movements of wastes and nutrients throughout the cell membranes and other systems taking place within the cells are also examined. These unicellular organisms are studied to know their behaviors in some molecular levels.

Anyone can also improvise their dark field light microscopes at home. In this process, a small cardboard arrow is inserted in the microscope’s filter holder to block the light from the field of view. Magnificent details can be viewed with the dark field light; comparable to a telescopic view of star clusters.

There are various areas and aspects to study regarding unicellular organisms and dark field light microscopy is the most fitting way to do this. Proper illumination is important to get good images of these unicellular organisms. Several techniques have been developed so that scientists or simple students can see fine details of unicellular organisms. With fine techniques and dark field light microscopes, this endeavor can always be worthwhile and exciting.