Name:________________

Date:_________________
Lab: Learning about Microscopy

Directions: Fill in the blanks (below) as we go over the different parts of a microscope as a
class.

Calculating total magnification

When you are seeing an object through the eyepieces of a compound microscope, the
image that you are actually seeing is being magnified twice: by the eyepieces (usually 10x) AND
the objective lens you are using to view an object. To find the total magnification, you need to
multiply the magnification of the eyepiece times the objective lens:
Objective Lens x Eyepiece Lens= Total Magnification
Total Magnification at low power:
_______________ x________________ =
Total Magnification at medium power:
_______________ x________________ =
Total Magnification at high power:
_______________ x________________ =

Directions for viewing a prepared slide:

1. Carry it with two hands, by the base and the handle (or neck) in the back. Not by the
stage or lenses!
2. Plug in the microscope's power cord into an outlet and turn on the microscope switch.
(Note: some compound microscopes don't use electric lighting, but have a mirror to focus
natural light instead.)
3. Switch on your microscope's light source and then adjust the diaphragm to the largest
hole diameter, allowing the greatest amount of light through.
4. Rotate the nosepiece to the lowest-power objective. It is easiest to scan a slide at a low
setting, since you have a wider field of view at low power.
5. Place a prepared slide on the stage (prepared slides will be on your lab table labeled
Letters), either under the stage clips. DO NOT SNAP CLIPS. Move the slide with the
stage controls until the specimen is under the objective lens.
6. Adjust the large coarse focus knob until the specimen is in focus. Slowly move the slide
to center the specimen under the lens, if necessary. Do this by nudging it gently turning
the slide control knobs (if you have a mechanical stage).

7. Adjust the small fine focus knob until the specimen is clearly in focus. Then adjust the
diaphragm to get the best lighting. Start with the most light and gradually lessen it until
the specimen image has clear, sharp contrast.
8. Scan the slide (right to left and top to bottom) at low power to get an overview of the
specimen. Then center the part of the specimen you want to view at higher power.
9. Turn your head and rotate the nosepiece to the 10x objective for 100x magnification.
Make sure the lens does not hit the stage!
10. Refocus and view your specimen carefully. Adjust the lighting again until the image is
most clear (you will need more light for higher power). Repeat with the 40x objective for
400x magnification, which will enable you to see all of the specimen detail that's
necessary for high school biology lab work.
Directions for making a wet mount:
1. Place a drop of water on a glass slide.
2. Place object of interest in the drop of water.
3. Take your cover slip and lay one edge on one side of the water drop. Have cover slip at a
45 angle and drop the cover slip.
4. Make sure no air bubbles are present. If there are, you can try tapping it with a small blunt
instrument

Steps 1 and 2:

Steps 3 and 4:

Make two different wet mounts:

1. Cheek cells wet mount
Step 1: Drop two drops of water on a slide
Step 2: Take toothpick and lightly scrape the side of your cheek
Step 3: Stir the toothpick in the water on the slide
Step 4: Place coverslip over specimen
2. Pond water wet mount:
Step 1: Place two drops of pond water onto a slide
Step 2: Place coverslip over specimen
Directions: Draw what you view. Write the total magnification below drawing:
Cheek Cells

Total Magnification:______________

Pond Water

Total Magnification:______________

Clean Up:
1. Wash and dry all slides. Put them back in tray neatly
2. Wrap microscope power cord around microscope arm and leave on table
3. You may throw away cover slips.
4. Wipe down table with paper towel

Source:
http://chsstaff.vail.k12.az.us/~rathmanr/Teachers/Biology_Downloads_Quarter_1_files/Microsco
pes.pdf