Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Regional Office IX, Zamboanga Peninsula

7
Z est for P rogress

Z eal of P artnership

SCIENCE Grade 7
Quarter 2 - Module 2
The Compound Microscope:
Focusing Specimen

Name of Learner:
Grade & Section:
0
Name of School:
 Module The Compound Microscope:
2 Focusing Specimen

What I Need to Know

Hello buddy! Welcome to module 2. This module was carefully designed and
written considering your needs for learning and development. Lessons you’ll learn from this can be
applied to real-life situations. This will help you master your skill in focusing specimens under the
compound microscope (S7LT-llb-2), within this competency, you will also be learning how to
compute for the total magnification of the objects observed. Activities presented in this module also
contain the proper way of boxing and storing the microscope after use. This module is about;

Lesson 2: The Compound Microscope: Specimen in Focus

Objective: Focus specimens using the compound microscope

What’s In
In module 1, you learned about the compound microscope, its parts and their functions. You
also learned how to unbox, carry, and took care of the parts and the microscope as a whole. Can you
still recall them? Answer the activity below.

Activity 1: Arrange Me 5
Directions: Given below are jumbled letters. Arrange them to form a word. Use the description on the
right as your guide. Write your answers on the blank space provided before the number. (1 point each)

1. ASBE Houses the mirror

2. RIMORR Reflects light from an external light source

3. VEJEOSBCTI Magnifies the images of the specimen

4. APGIMHDPR Regulates the amount of light

5. ASETG Flat platform where slides are placed

Learning the parts and its corresponding function of the compound microscope and the
knowledge in unboxing and handling it are important in manipulating each part properly and
accurately in focusing specimens under study.

What’s New
Activity 2: Calculate Me Accurately 5

Directions: Compute for the total magnification of an object by multiplying the objective’s
magnification value and the eyepiece’s magnification value. Fill in the table with correct data. Item 1
is already done for you. (1 point each)

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 A. Name of objective lens B. Objective C. Eyepiece D. Total magnification
magnification magnification (BxC=D)

Scanning objective 4x 5x 20x

Low power objective 10x 10x
10x 5x
High power objective 40x 10x
40x 5x
Oil Immersion objective 100x 10x

Activity 3: My Bigger View

Directions: A grade 7 student conducted an experiment on how objects appear under the microscope.
Follow through the procedures and answer the questions that follow. Tick (√) the box of the correct
answer. For reference look at figure 1. (1 point each)

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Eyepiece

Coarse Body tube

Adjustment
Revolving
Fine Nosepiece
Adjustment
Objectives

Arm Glass slide and

Coverslip
Stage Clip
Inclination
Stage
Joint
Diaphragm

Mirror
Base

Figure 1: The Compound Microscope

Procedure

1. A small letter “e” was cut out from an old newspaper. Using a forceps or a
tweezer, it was placed at the center of the slide in an upright position
Q1. What makes the letter “e” suitable for observation under the microscope?

It is big and thin It is small and thin

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 2. A wet mount was prepared by putting a drop of tap water into the glass slide
containing the letter “e”. It acted as a mounting medium which made the image
of “e” clearer.

3. The glass slide was placed on the stage making sure that the letter “e” was at
the center of the hole on the stage and under the low power objective. It was
held firmly with the stage clips.

4. Watching from the side, the body tube was lowered carefully until the end of the
low power objective almost touched the coverslip.

5. Looking through the eyepiece, the coarse adjustment knob was slowly turned
upward raising the objective until the letter “e” was clearly seen indicating that
it has been in focus already. Figure 2 shows how the letter “e” was viewed under
the microscope.

Figure 2. The letter “e” as seen in the microscope

Q2. What is the position of the letter as seen under the microscope?
The position of the letter is the same
The position of the letter is the inverted
Q3. Compare the image of the letter that you see using your unaided eye with what you see
in figure 2?
The letter “e” seen in the microscope is larger than “e” seen by the eyes.
The letter “e” seen in the microscope appears in straight lines.
6. The slide was slowly moved to the right, then to the left. Refer to figure 3 below.

The direction of the slide

The direction of the image

Figure 3. The direction of letter “e” as the slide is moved

Q4. To which direction does the image move?
It moves toward the same direction
It moves toward the opposite direction
7. The slide was moved to the center. Looking from the side, the revolving nosepiece
was turned to put High Power Objective in place.

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 Q5. Why do you have to watch from the side when changing objectives?
To prevent accidental crashing of the objectives into the slide
Objectives are of the same length and breakage of lens is possible
8. Using the fine adjustment knob, the HPO lowered till it almost touched the
coverslip. Looking through the eyepiece, the fine adjustment knob was turned
until the clearest image was seen.
Q6. Why should the fine adjustment knob be used only with the HPO?
The HPO is shorter and can easily crash into the slide
The HPO is longer and can easily crash into the slide
9. Looking again through the eyepiece, the objective was shifted to the LPO and
the HPO. Refer to figure 4.

Figure 4: The images of objects under LPO and HPO

Q7. In which objective can you see a larger image of the letter “e”?
Larger image of “e” can be seen under low power objective
Larger image of “e” can be seen under high power objective
Q8. What is the advantage of using HPO?
The image is greatly magnified, details of the object can be observed
The whole image can be seen and the field of view is increased
Q9. What is the disadvantage of using HPO?
The field of view increases The field of view decreases

Knowledge about objects and organisms revealed by the microscope is of great value not only
to students like you but also to everyone who wishes to study and understand life. It is important for
you to know how to box and store it after use.
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Activity 4: Safekeeping
Directions: Below are the steps in storing the microscope but are not in order. Arrange them from
first to last by numbers 1 to 8 on the blank space provided before the number. Steps 2, 3, and 5 are
already done for you. (1 point each)

Turn the revolving nosepiece until the LPO is in place.

_3_Position the clips so that they do not extend beyond the sides of the stage.
Put back the microscope’s plastic cover.
Remove the eyepiece from the body tube and place it in the socket.
Carry the microscope with both hands, one is holding the arm and the other is
holding the base. Put it back in its case or storage cabinet.
_2_Slowly lower the body tube so that the end of the objective is approximately 1 cm
above the stage.
_4_Rotate the diaphragm until the smallest opening is in position.
Let the mirror stands on its edge with the concave side facing the user to protect it from dust.
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 The microscope gives an enlarged view of objects and organisms. Detailed studies of their
complex structure and consequently their functions are possible using this equipment. It also enables
one to see and observe organisms that are not visible using the unaided eye. In activity 1, you were
given jumbled letters to arrange as a measure of your learning in the past module. Activity 2
supplemented your mathematical skills as you were able to compute for the total magnification of the
object under study. In activity 3 you were able to follow steps on how to operate the microscope in
viewing specimens especially on how to bring it into focus. Steps in preparation for storage of the
microscope are given to you in activity 4 where you tried to arrange them in order.

What is it
A specimen is a part or sample of any material like plant, animal, paper, or mineral, for study
or examination under the microscope. Specimens should be small and thin for light to pass through
them. To accurately look at specimens and for clearer viewing, one must learn how to prepare a wet
mount. A wet mount is made by placing a fluid solution on a slide, suspending a specimen in a
solution with a cover slide, and then covering the specimen and the solution with a cover slide. It is
important to remember to put an exact amount of liquid in the sample.

A lesser amount of liquid will crush or dry the specimen too quickly. Too much amount of
liquid, however, will make the coverslip float creating a liquid layer that is too thick. In observing
specimens under the microscope, correct steps and proper procedures must be followed.

1 Position the microscope towards diffused light from the windows

or ceiling light

2 Put a low power eyepiece into the microscope

3 Rotate a low power objective into position

4 Look through the eyepiece. Adjust the mirror until you see a bright
circle of light called the field of view

Place a slide on the stage and fix it with the stage clips. The
specimen on the slide should be right above the hole of the stage.
5

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 Look at the microscope from the side. Turn the coarse adjustment
knob carefully to lower the objective until it is very close to the
6 slide

7 Look through the eyepiece. Turn the coarse adjustment knob to

raise the objective slowly until you can see an image of the
specimen

8 Rotate the high power objective into position and turn the fine
adjustment knob to get a sharper image. The image is now in
focus

Following these steps will surely help you study very small objects just like the letter “e” used
in Activity 3. As you can see in figure 2 above, the small “e” becomes big and in an inverted manner.
Figure 3 shows, that when you move the slide to the left or to the right, the image moved in the
opposite direction. Hence, adjusting the knobs and changing the objectives bring an object into focus
but in a different manner. Figure 4 shows the difference of the image under low power objective and
under high power objective. In the LPO, a part of the letter “e” can be seen. In HPO only a small portion
of it can be seen which makes it advantageous because the image is greatly magnified and the details
of the letter can be observed. The disadvantage is, it reduces the field of view and the whole letter or
structure cannot be observed.

Always remember that objectives are of different lengths. The high power objective (HPO) is
longer than the scanner and the low power objectives, so only the fine adjustment should be used for
it moves slower or shorter in terms of distance. The coarse adjustment should be used only in scanning
and low power objectives as it moves fast and has greater distance. Take note that the eyepiece and
the objectives, both have lenses marked with numbers used for magnifying objects. The total
magnification of the object under observation can be computed through multiplying the lens number
of the eyepiece and the lens number of the objective.

For example, eyepiece= 5x, objective= 10x thus, 5x(10x) = 50x. This means that the object is
50x or 50 times bigger than the actual size when observed.

Now you have learned already how to use the microscope in observing specimens and solve for the
total magnification of the object under study. This time, let us learn how to box and store the
microscope after use. Here are the steps;

1. Turn the revolving nosepiece until the LPO is in place.

2. Slowly lower the body tube so that the end of the objective is approximately 1 cm above the
stage.
3. Position the clips so that they do not extend beyond the size of the stage.
4. Rotate the diaphragm until the smallest opening is in position.
5. Let the mirror stands on each edge with the concave slide facing the user to protect it from
dust.

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 6. Some microscope boxes have a socket for the eyepiece. In this case, remove the eyepiece from
the body tube and place it in the socket.
7. Put back the microscope plastic cover. If the original plastic cover has been lost or destroyed,
use any clean plastic bag big enough to cover the microscope.
8. Carry the microscope with both hands, one is holding the arm and the other is holding the
base. Put it back in each case or storage cabinet or return it to your teacher.

What’s More
5

Activity 5. Let’s Agree

Directions: Read each statement and decide whether to agree or disagree. Put a check mark (√) if you
agree and an X mark if you disagree on the blank space provided. (1 point each)

1. A specimen is a part or sample of any material like plant, animal, paper, or mineral, for study
or examination under the microscope.
2. Always use fine adjustment when using the high power objective.
3. Part of caring for the microscope is to put it back without the plastic cover.
4. Always watch the side when changing objectives to prevent accidental crashing of the
objectives into the slides.
5. In making a wet mount, it is proper to put too much liquid on the slide.

What I Have Learned

Activity 6: You Complete Me 9

Directions: Write the missing word/s on the blank to complete the statement. Choose your answer
from the word bank below. (1 point each)

Word Bank

microscope mirror arm base specimen

objectives thin diaphragm wet mount

1. A is a part or sample of any material like plant, animal, or mineral, for study
or examination under the microscope.
2. A is made by placing a fluid solution on a slide, and suspending a specimen
in a solution with a cover slide.
3. The are of different lengths attached to the revolving nosepiece.
4. Specimens should be small and for light to pass through them.
5. In preparation for storing microscope, rotate the until the smallest opening
is in position.
6. Part of preparation for storing is to carry the with both hands, one is holding
the and the other is holding the .

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 7. The must stand on each edge with the concave slide facing the user to
protect it from dust.

What I Can Do
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Activity 7: Finding My Pair
Directions: Pair the pictures found below the table to the correct step in observing specimens. Write
the letter OR draw the picture on the space provided beside the description.

Position the microscope 1. Place a slide on the stage 5.

towards diffused light and fix it with the stage
from the windows or clip. The specimen on the
ceiling light slide should be right
above the hole of the stage

Put a low power 2. Look at the microscope 6.

eyepiece into the from the side. Turn the
microscope coarse adjustment knob
carefully to lower the
objective until it is very
close to the slide

Rotate a low power 3. Look through the 7.

objective into position eyepiece. Turn the coarse
adjustment knob to raise
the objective slowly until
you can see an image of
the specimen

Look through the 4. Rotate the high power 8.

eyepiece. Adjust the objective into position and
mirror until you see a turn the fine adjustment
bright circle of light knob to get a sharper
called the field of view image. The image is now
in focus

A. B. C. D.

E. F. G. H.

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 References
Didden,Craig, Duran, Brandon (2005). Microscopy-Teacher’s Guide. Retrieved from
http://www.csun.edu/scied/7-microscopy/microscopy-techniques/microscopy_index.html
(No Author). (No Date). Laboratory Activity #03 - Using a Compound Microscope. Retrieved from
http://www.deftstudios.com/bioweb/blab03sm.htm
A/P Lab. (No Date) Microscope Objective Lenses. Retrieved from
http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/APlab/Lab-Unit-01/Lab-01-04.html
(No Author). (No Date). How to use a Microscope. Retrieved from https://www2.mrc-
lmb.cam.ac.uk/microscopes4schools/microscopes2.php#:~:text=Compound%20Microscopes,-
Turn%20the%20revolving&text=Look%20at%20the%20objective%
Wikihow, Bess, Ruff (2019). How to use a Compound Microscope. Retrieved From
https://www.wikihow.com/Use-a-Compound-Microscope
Biodocs. (No Date). The Microscope. Retrieved from
https://www.yc.edu/v6/academics/pathway/biodocs/Microscope181.pdf
(No Author). (No Date). LAB-3 Use of the Microscope. Retrieved from
http://www.lamission.edu/lifesciences/bio3labs/Bio3%20Lab03-Sp12-
Microscopy%20%20Cells.pdf
(No Author). (No Date). Using A Microscope. Retrieved from
https://www.edb.gov.hk/attachment/en/edu-system/primary-secondary/applicable-to-
secondary/moi/support-and-resources/science-education-secondary-1-to-
3/s1%20topic%207%20using%20a%20microscope.pdf
Hensomed.(2020). Microscope Slides. Retrieved from https://www.hensomed.com/how-to-prepare-
microscope-slides/
Department of Education (2017). Science 7 Learner’s Material. First Edition. Department of
Education-Bureau of Learning Resources (DepEd-BLR)
Department of Education (2017). Science 7 Teachers Guide. First Edition. Department of Education-
Bureau of Learning Resources (DepEd-BLR)

Development Team Region IX Hymn

Writer: Maricor E. Agustin OUR EDEN LAND
Editors: Laarni A. Adonis
Margie Lou C. Jacob Here the trees and Golden beams of sunrise and
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blow, Oh! That’s Region IX...
Reviewer: Sandy R. Albarico Here the birds sing
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Layout Artist: And liberty forever stays, Every valley and dale
Management Team: Zamboangenos, Tagalogs,
Majarani M. Jacinto, CESO VI Here the Badjaos swam Bicolanos,
SDS-ZDS the seas, Cebuanos, Ilocanos,
Here the Samals live in Subanens, Boholanos,
Visminda Q. Valde, Ed.D peace, Illongos,
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so free, Region IX our Eden Land.
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ASDS
Gallant men Region IX, our Eden Land.
Juliet A. Magallanes, Ed.D And Ladies fair,
CID Chief Linger with love and care,

Florencio R. Caballero, DTE

EPS-LRMDS

Sandy R. Albarico
EPS-Science
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