A fabulous and revealing introduction to the secrets of the microscopic world.

Features amazing photos of what can be discovered through a microscope, from atoms to algae and dust to DNA. With over 20 step-by-step microscope activities including preparing slides and observing everyday objects, insects and even your own cheek cells. Includes practical information on buying, using and taking care of a microscope. With internet-links to websites with more amazing photos, projects and activities.

The chapters in this book include:
The micro world
- Larger than life
- Making things looks bigger
- Using a microscope
- Paper and print
- Fibres and fabrics
- Odds and ends
- Clues to the past
- Solving crimes

The human body
- On your head
- Bodywork
- Body cells
- Inside a body cell
- Inside a nucleus
- Bacteria
- Viruses
- Microscopes in medicine
- Microscopes and surgery

Plants and fungi
- Looking at plants
- Plant food
- How plants spread
- Water plants
- Fungi
- Food science

Creepy crawlies
- Insect watching
- Insects up close
- Watery minibeasts
- Unwelcome guests
- Body residents
- The plant eaters

Rocks to robots
- Sand and rocks
- Microfossils
- Crystals
- More crystals
- Testing metals
- Micromachines
- Nanotechnology
- A nano future?

Past and present
- Early microscopes
- The war on germs
- Microscopes today

Practical points
- Buying a microscope
- Equipment
- Advanced techniques