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

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What is the best type of objective lens to use when photographing a specimen?

  1. PlanApo 100/1.4 Oil 160/0.17

  2. Standard 40x objective lens

  3. Simple 10x objective lens

  4. Wide field 60x objective lens

The correct answer is: PlanApo 100/1.4 Oil 160/0.17

The PlanApo 100/1.4 Oil 160/0.17 objective lens is the most suitable choice for photographing a specimen due to its high numerical aperture (NA) of 1.4 and its specific design that allows for excellent resolution and contrast. The "Plan" designation indicates that this lens is corrected for field curvature, providing a flat field of view across the entire image. The "Apo" stands for apochromatic, meaning that it has been specifically designed to minimize chromatic aberration, allowing for multiple wavelengths of light to converge on the same plane. The use of oil immersion enhances the lens's light-gathering ability, resulting in a brighter and clearer image, which is crucial for detailed photography of microscopic specimens. This lens's combination of high magnification, superior resolution, and excellent optical corrections makes it ideal for capturing the fine details that can be critical when documenting cytogenetic specimens. In contrast, the other lenses may not offer the same level of performance in terms of resolution, lighting, and image quality, making them less suitable for photography purposes.