Date: September 6, 2020

Part I. Microscopy Pre-lab Activities

Step 1. Watch and learn this Instructional Video:

https://www1.udel.edu/biology/ketcham/microscope/scope.html

Step 2. Virtual microscope: (requires the Flash 6 plugin  )

Test your skill. Practice what you have learned. The virtual scope has all the same controls found on the real
thing.
Microscope controls:

● turn knobs (click and hold on upper or lower portion of knob)

● throw switches (click and drag)
● turn dials (click and drag)
● move levers (click and drag)
● changes lenses (click and drag on objective housing)
● select a specimen (click on a slide)
● adjust oculars (in "through" view, with the light on, click and drag to move oculars closer or further
● apart)

Part II. Virtual Microscope Simulation Activity

Introduction:

One of the biologist’s most important laboratory tools is the compound light microscope (Greek: micron = small
and scopos = aim) which consists of two converging lens systems: the objective and the eyepiece. It is an
instrument that is used to magnify objects that are too small to be seen with the unaided eye. With the help of
microscopes, biologists are able to elucidate the detailed concepts of cell structure and function. The compound
light microscope is an instrument containing two lenses, which magnifies, and a variety of knobs to resolve
(focus) the picture.

Given our current situation we cannot perform a laboratory activity using a real microscope. In order for us to
familiarize how to use this, you will need to make it up by using a "virtual microscope" which can be accessed
on the internet. The virtual microscope is a little more complicated than the microscope we used in the lab, but
with patience, you should be able to complete this activity.

Access the Virtual Microscope at http://www.udel.edu/biology/ketcham/microscope/ - Click on the link that

says "the virtual scope"
1. Familiarize yourself with the microscope, run the tutorial and examine the parts you will be working with.

Questions: Write your answers on the space provided.

a. How many objectives are on the virtual microscope? ____________4___________

b. What are the numbers listed on each of the objectives?_________4x, 10x, 40x, 100x________

2. You will be looking at the slide (top right) labeled "letter e". Follow the tutorial and use the microscope
adjustments to focus the "e" on each of the objectives.

Paste the screen shot photo of the "e" exactly as it appears under

Scanning Objective(4x) Low Power Objective (10x) High Power Objective (100x)

3. You will be looking at the slide (top right) labeled "onion root tip". Follow the tutorial and use the microscope
adjustments to focus the "onion root tip" on each of the objectives.

Paste the screen shot photo of the "onion root tip" exactly as it appears under

Scanning Objective(4x) Low Power Objective (10x) High Power Objective (100x)
4. You will be looking at the slide (top right) labeled "bacterial capsule". Follow the tutorial and use the
microscope adjustments to focus the "bacterial capsule" on each of the objectives.

Paste the screen shot photo of the "bacterial capsule" exactly as it appears under

Scanning Objective(4x) Low Power Objective (10x) High Power Objective (100x)

5. You will be looking at the slide (top right) labeled "cheek smear". Follow the tutorial and use the microscope
adjustments to focus the "cheek smear" on each of the objectives.

Paste the screen shot photo of the "cheek smear" exactly as it appears under

Scanning Objective(4x) Low Power Objective (10x) High Power Objective (100x)

6. Which letter on the microscope points to the

OCULAR = A
COARSE ADJUSTMENT = C
FINE ADJUSTMENT = D
STAGE CENTERING = B

7 . Now view several microscope images of "common

things". Go to www.biologycorner.com/microscope/
After viewing the images, go to the quiz. Write down the names of the specimens for each letter.

A. MOUSE HAIR
B. LEAF
C. CYCLOPS
D. HUMAN SKIN
F. SALT AND SUGAR
G. DUST MITE
H. BLOOD