American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Technologist in Cytogenetics certification (ASCP CG) Practice Test

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To avoid empty magnification, what should the total magnification not exceed?

500X the N.A. of the objective
1000X the N.A. of the objective
1500X the N.A. of the objective
2000X the N.A. of the objective

The correct answer is: 1000X the N.A. of the objective

To avoid empty magnification, the total magnification should not exceed 1000 times the numerical aperture (N.A.) of the objective lens. This guideline is critical in microscopy because beyond this threshold, increasing magnification does not improve the resolution of the image. Instead, it can lead to a larger image that lacks detail, effectively making it appear blurred or empty, hence the term "empty magnification." The numerical aperture of the objective lens is a measure of its light-gathering ability and spatial resolution capability. A higher N.A. indicates a greater ability to resolve fine details. Therefore, by limiting total magnification to 1000 times the N.A., practitioners ensure that they are working within a range where the resolution of the microscope corresponds with the amount of magnification applied. This balance between magnification and resolution is essential for obtaining clear and meaningful images in cytogenetic analyses.