Fluorescence
microscopy is a basic requirement in cell biology
, molecular
biology
and
biotechnology
.
Advancements over the years has helped scientist to
trace molecules in live cells and understand the
basis of cell metabolism, exchange, mutation and to
xicity. In this short communication we seek to
explain in simple terms the basic principles of how
a fluorescence microscope works. The principles o
f
excitation and emission focuses on the ability of f
luorophores to absorb energy from photons and to
emit such absorbed energy. The difference between t
he chemical structures of these fluorephores
determines how much energy that is required to exci
te them and how long a fluorescence signal from a
fluorophore will last. The principles of epi-illumi
nation on the other hand describe the arrangement a
nd
function of the various components of a fluorescenc
e microscope
