Biology in the LaboratorySeeing Small |
How do dissecting microscopes differ from compound microscopes? |
Compared to compound microscopes, dissecting microscopes—also called stereoscopic microscopes—provide a much larger working distance between the lens and stage in order to dissect and manipulate specimens. The light source on a dissecting microscope is above the specimen since the specimen is often too thick to allow light to be transmitted from a light source below the specimen. Dissecting microscopes are always binocular, which provides a three-dimensional image.