Name(s)_____________________________________________ Date___________ Section_____

MICROSCOPE LAB: OBSERVATIONS AND ANALYSIS

Laboratory Sheet

INTRODUCTION

Background Information:
The hidden world becomes visible with the aid of a microscope. A microscope is used to see items
and structures that the human eye cannot visualize. Microbes, cell structures, and minute particulate
materials are examples of such objects. The microscopic examination of one-celled organisms as
well as the cells and tissues of multicellular organisms are all part of biological research. To properly
utilize the microscope, you must first learn the operational modes of each part. In this laboratory
exercise, you will learn to use and identify the parts of a compound light microscope.

ACTIVITY 1: Microscope: Parts and Functions

Answer the following questions comprehensively.

1. What is the proper way to carry a microscope?

2. What are the rules in using a microscope?

3. What is the purpose of the objectives?

4. What is the diaphragm on the microscope used for?

5. What is the total magnification power of your microscope under the following operating
conditions?

OBJECTIVE OCULAR TOTAL MAGNIFICATION (X)

Scanner 4 10 x _______________

LPO 10 10 x _______________

HPO 40 10 x _______________

OIO 100 10 x _______________

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 MICROSCOPE; PARTS AND FUNCTIONS
INSTRUCTIONS: Draw, label and give the function of each part of a microscope.

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ACTIVITY 2: LAB: PLANT CELLS vs. ANIMAL CELLS

INTRODUCTION

Background Information:
Ever since the first microscope was used, biologists have been interested in studying the cellular
organization of all living things. After hundreds of years of observations by many biologists, the cell
theory was developed. The cell theory states that the cell is the structural and functional unit of living
things. Eukaryotic cells contain structures called organelles that carry out life processes. Eukaryotic
cells can be classified by the types of organelles they contain. In plant and animal cells, similarities
and differences exist because of varied life functions.

In this investigation, you will compare the structures of an onion (Allium) and a typical animal cell,
a cheek cell.

Research Problem: How are plant and animal cells alike and how are they different?

MATERIALS & METHODS

Materials:
microscope, slides, coverslips
cell samples: onion, and human cheek cells
water and dropper
cell stains: iodine & methylene blue
forceps, toothpicks, q-tips/cotton buds
lens paper, colored pencils/pencils

Methods:
1) Make wet-mount slides of the available cell types. You may do them in any order. Work at your
own pace.

REMEMBER:
• Look around on LOW power; go up to MEDIUM or HIGH when you've found something.
• It may take two or three tries at a slide before you get a good preparation!
• Adjust fine focus to see one layer of cells (especially if viewing plant tissue).
• Draw ONLY what you see, and LABEL the structures you recognize!

AVAILABLE CELL TYPES:

Onion
1. A teacher or technician should prepare onion sections by cutting the onion into quarters and
distributing to students.
2. Divide the onion into its fleshy layers.
3. Using forceps, gently peel back a section of thin
epidermis from the concave underside of the layer Figure 1: Peeling a section
as shown in Figure 1. Alternatively break the onion of onion epidermis
layer toward the shiny side and gently peel the two
pieces apart revealing the transparent layer of
epidermis.
4. Carefully place the epidermis in a single flat layer
on the centre of a microscope slide. Note that the
epidermis is very thin, easy to tear, wrinkle and can fold onto itself.
5. Place 1–2 drops of Iodine stain on the epidermis and spread it out carefully with forceps
if folded. Put one edge of a cover slip on the slide to one side of the stain and slowly
lower it by means of a mounting needle or toothpick. Make sure there are no air bubbles.
6. Remove excess stain by touching the edge of the cover slip with a tissue or paper towel.

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7. Examine cells under the microscope using the 4x objective. When focused, view at high
power (x400 magnification) to make observations of cell size, shape and visible cell
structures. Students can draw a labelled diagram.

Cheek
1. With a flat clean toothpick, gently scrape the inside of your mouth. You'll pick up any cheek
lining cells, even though you won't be able to see them!
2. Smear the toothpick on a slide to spread out the cells and saliva. If too dry, add a TINY drop of
water.
3. Add one drop of the methylene blue stain to the microscope slide.
4. Gently place a cover slip over the stained smear by putting one edge of the cover slip on the slide
to one side of the stain and slowly lower it by means of a mounting needle or toothpick. Should be
free of air bubbles.
5. Remove excess stain by touching the edge of the cover slip with a tissue or paper towel.
6. Examine under the microscope using the 4x objective. When focused, view at high power (x400
magnification) to make observations of cell size, shape and visible cell structures. Students draw a
labelled diagram. Look for epithelial cells.

MICROSCOPIC OBSERVATIONS

INSTRUCTIONS: Drawings should be done in pencil. The circles represent the field of view.
Always remember to record the total magnification each drawing was made
in as well as the specimen that was observed.

A. B.

SPECIMEN _____________________ SPECIMEN_____________________

MAG____________ MAG__________

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C. D.

SPECIMEN_____________________ SPECIMEN____________________

MAG______________ MAG____________

A compound microscope is an expensive precision instrument that requires special care and handling.
In this activity, you will learn the parts of a compound microscope, the function of each part, and the proper
care and use of the microscope.

I. Parts, Care and Function of the Microscope

1. Carrying the microscope

1. Always carry the microscope with both hands. Grasp the arm of the microscope with one hand and
place your other hand under the base.
2. (Your instructor will demonstrate the proper way to transport a microscope.)

3. Always hold the microscope in an upright position (so the eyepiece will not fall out.)

4. Place the microscope at least 10 cm from the edge, with the arm facing you.

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2. Microscope Parts - Read and make sure you understand the function of each part of the
microscope. (numbers 2-6)

Base: supports the microscope, houses the illuminator

Stage: table of the microscope, where the microscope slide

is placed.

Condenser: Optical element (light source)

Diaphragm: Wheel-shaped device that regulates the amount

of light passing through the specimen

Body: Houses the prisms, eyepiece tube, and lenses

Arm: Basic frame to which the base, body and stage are
attached

Nosepiece: Revolving section that carries the objective lenses

Objectives: Component that magnifies the images of the

specimen to form an enlarged image

Ocular (eyepiece): Upper optical component that further magnifies

the primary image and brings the light rays into focus

Focus adjustment knobs: Coarse adjustment knob for larger focusing & Fine adjustment knob for precision
focusing

3. Calculating the Magnification

1. Observe the numbers etched on the objectives (Example: DIN 4) and on the ocular (W10XD). The
TOTAL magnification is found by multiplying the magnification of the objective by the magnification
of the ocular.

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 2. EXAMPLE: If the magnification of the object was DIN 20 and the ocular was W10XD, the total
magnification would be 20 X 10 = 200 X. In other words, the specimen seen through the microscope
would be 200 times larger the viewed with the naked eye.

3. Complete the data table on your answer sheet to find the total magnifications of each objective on our
microscopes.

4. Cleaning the lenses

1. Lens Paper should be used to clean any of the lenses of the microscope. Lens paper is provided to
you by your instructor. Never use anything other then lens paper to clean the lens on the microscope,
including your fingers.

5. Illumination

1. After you plug the microscope in and turn on the illuminator, rotate the Iris diaphragm on the underside
of the stage in order to adjust the light intensity. Look through the microscope as you adjust the
diaphragm and observe the changes. Set the diaphragm and move on.

2. Keeping the light intensity in mind, look through the microscope and move through the different
magnifications slowly. Observe the change in light intensity.

3. Adjust the intensity of light to match the requirements of the objective you are wishing to view.

6. Focusing on low power

1. Place a prepared microscope slide, provided to you by your instructor, on the top of the stage (cover
slip up) surface

2. Position the 4X objective lens into the optical path, making sure that the lens clicks into position.

3. Look at the microscope with your head to the side. Locate the coarse adjustment knob which moves
the stage up and down. Practice moving the coarse adjustment knob, seeing how it moves the stage
with each turn of the knob. Using the coarse adjustment knob, move the stage down as far as it will
go. This is the starting position when you first begin to bring an object into focus. Look into the
eyepiece. Slowly, move the stage up by using the coarse adjustment knob until it comes into
focus. Never allow the slide to come in contact with the objective lens.

4. Turn the fine adjustment knob to bring the specimen into sharp focus.

5. You may need to change the aperture (opening) of the iris diaphragm to control the brightness. It
depends on the specimen and the magnification you are using.

7. Moving to a higher magnification -Do not touch the slide with the lens. (applies to questions 11-14)

1. Rotate the revolving nosepiece to position 10X objective into the optical path. Use ONLY the fine
adjustment knob to bring the image into sharp focus.

2. Rotate the revolving nosepiece to position 40X objective into the optical path. Use ONLY the fine
adjustment knob to bring the image into sharp focus.

**** NEVER use the coarse adjustment when focusing on the medium and high power objectives!!!!!