key term - Janssen

Definition

Janssen, often attributed to Zacharias Janssen, is credited with the invention of the first compound microscope in the late 16th century. This innovation allowed scientists to observe objects too small for the naked eye, laying the groundwork for microbiology.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Zacharias Janssen and his father Hans are often credited with creating the first compound microscope around 1590.
2. The compound microscope designed by Janssen used multiple lenses to achieve higher magnification than a single lens could provide.
3. Janssen's invention marked a significant advancement in scientific instruments, which later enabled the discovery of microorganisms.
4. Though there is some debate about whether Janssen or other contemporaries like Hans Lippershey invented the first compound microscope, Janssen is most commonly associated with this achievement.
5. Janssen’s work paved the way for future scientists such as Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, who made groundbreaking discoveries using improved microscopes.

Review Questions

Related terms

Compound Microscope:

An optical instrument that uses two or more lenses to magnify small objects.

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek:

A scientist known as 'the Father of Microbiology' who used microscopes to discover microorganisms.

Microscopy:

The field of science dedicated to examining small objects through various types of microscopes.