ACTIVITY 1: MICROSCOPY

Many body structures are too little to be seen by naked eye and only can be observed by the use
of microscope. Microscope is an instrument used to magnify an object. The science of investigating small
structures or object is called microscopy. The term microscopic means very small or minute, not visible
by unaided or naked eye. The first true microscope was invented by Zacharias Jansen, Johannes Jansen,
and Hans Lippershey. This microscope is later improved by Anton Van Leeuwenhoek, the father of
microscopy, who became famous because of his biological discoveries through the use of microscope.
The invention of microscope is significant to biology because it led to the formulation of the modern cell
theory. Today, many scientific and medical discoveries are made possible because of the microscope.
Because of the “New Normal” set up, we are not allowed to go to laboratory classrooms and
physically use the microscope. We can only search the internet on the proper ways or usage of the
microscope.
For this experiment, and the upcoming experiments where it requires the use of a microscope,
we will use the internet for reference, videos, power point presentations and discussions..

OBJECTIVES:
1. Identify the parts of the microscope.
2. Know the functions of each part of the microscope.
3. Practice proper handling and care of microscope.
4. Apply the correct way of using the microscope.
5. Determine total magnification at different settings.
6. Prepare wet mount slides.
7. Stain microscopic specimens.
8. Accurately record microscopic observation.

MATERIALS:
Cheek cells (Internet)
Compound microscope (Internet)
Cover slip
Cutout of letter “E” from newspaper (Internet)
Glass slides
Methylene blue
Pencil for drawing
Prepared slide
Reference books
Tissue paper

PRECAUTIONS WHEN HANDLING THE MICROSCOPE

1. Always carry the microscope in the upright position. Grasp the arm with one hand and support the
base with the other.
2. Do not remove any parts of the microscope.
3. Use lens paper to clean the objectives. Using of other materials can scratch the lenses.
4. Turn the revolving nosepiece so that the lowest power objective lens is "clicked" into position. Always
start with the objective with the lowest magnification when magnifying an object.
5. Place the microscope slide on the stage and fasten it with the stage clips. You can push down on the
back end of the stage clip to open it.
6. Make sure that the lenses will not touch the specimen when changing objectives by looking from the
side.
7. Never turn the coarse adjustment knob clockwise (down) while looking through the eyepiece. Always
focus upward.
8. The proper way to use a monocular microscope is to look through the eyepiece with one eye and
keep the other eye open to avoid eyestrain. If you can't keep your both eyes open, just cover the other
with your hand. Remember, everything is upside down and backwards.
When you move the slide to the right, the image goes to the left.
9. When finished with the microscope, remove the slide, clean the stage, and place the low power
objective over the hole in the stage. Put the mirror in vertical position.

STUDY THE PARTS OF A MICROSCOPE

1. Read and study the precautionary measures in proper usage of microscope.
2. Search the internet for usage of the microscope.
3. Familiarize yourself with the parts of the microscope.
4. Draw the microscope and label its parts on the laboratory report.
5. Complete the table provided in the laboratory report by filling in the function of each part.

MAGNIFYING POWER OF THE MICROSCOPE

1. Search the internet and look for the magnifying capacity of the ocular lens.
2. Know the magnifying capacity of each of the objectives.
3. Compute the magnification of the microscope by multiplying the magnifying capacity to the
magnifying capacity of the objective. The total magnification (TM) of the microscope is usually attributed
to the highest magnification of the microscope can achieve.

FRESH MOUNT BY USING LETTER “E”

1. Search the internet for procedures on how to experiment using letter “e” cutout placed at the middle
of the slide,
2. Then place a drop of water on the cutout letter.
3. Place also a cover slip on top of the letter “e” cut out,
4. Then virtually observe the letter “e” at low, medium, and high power objectives.
5. Draw or attach an image of the letter “e” in different magnification in the laboratory report.

WET MOUNT OF CHEEK CELLS

1. Search the internet on the experiment on “Cheek cells” placed on a clean glass slide with cover slip.
2. Use a toothpick to scrape a bit of materials from the inside of your cheek. Place it at the center of the
slide. Thinly and evenly spread it in a circular manner.
3. Add a drop of methylene blue on the specimen and let it stay there for about two minutes.
4. Remove excessive stain by slowly dabbing tissue paper on it.
5. Put on the cover slip.
6. Examine the specimen at low, medium, and high objectives.
7. Draw or attach images of a cell or cells as seen on each objective in the laboratory report.
 LABORATORY REPORT: MICROSCOPY
Name:_____________________ Score: __________________
Date Performed: Lab Section:

PARTS OF A COMPOUND MICROSCOPE

Draw and Label the parts of the microscope.

Complete the table provided by filling in the function of each part.

PART FUNCTIONS
Arm Supports the body tube and connects it to the base. It also acts as a
carrying handle for the microscope.
Base It is used for support.
 Body tube Separates the objectives from the eyepiece and ensures that the optics
are always aligned.
Coarse Adjustment knob It raises and lowers the stage in larger increments, getting closer to the
lens and putting it into focus quicker.
Condenser It focuses light onto the specimen.

Draw tube It carries ocular and can be adjusted to control tube length.

Dust shield It prevents dust from accumulating on the objectives.

Fine adjustment knob It improves the focus quality of the image by sharpening it.

Inclination joint It tilts microscope for better and more comfortable viewing.

Mechanical stage knob It allows the user to move the slide in the left, right, forward, and
backward direction.
Mirror It directs light from the light source to the microscopic field.

Objectives It delivers a real picture of the object to the eyepiece.

Ocular It magnifies objects enough to see them in great detail.

Pillar It provides support to all the remaining parts of the microscope.

Revolving Nosepiece It holds multiple lenses, which allows the user to turn it to achieve various
levels of magnification.
Rotating plate It is composed of various sized holes. The various holes click into place
when the plate is turned, blocking off varying quantities of light.
Stage It supports slides.

MAGNIFYING CAPACITY OF A MICROSCOPE

Complete the following table by computing the magnifying capacity of the microscope you are using for
this laboratory activity

OBJECTIVE MAGNIFYING OCCULAR TOTAL

CAPACITY MAGNIFYING MAGNIFICATION
CAPACITY
Low power objective 4X 10X 40X

Medium power 10X 10X 100X

Objective 10X 10X 100X

High power objective 40X 10X 400X

FRESH MOUNT BY USING LETTER “e”
Search the Internet for images and attach it to the circle below which will represent the visual field of a
microscope.
Actual size “e”

Low Power Objective (LPO)

Total Magnification: 40X

Medium Power Objective MPO) High Power Objective (HPO)

Total Magnification: 100X Total Magnification: 400X

WET MOUNT OF CHEEK CELLS

Search the Internet for images and attach it to the circle below which will represent the visual field of a
microscope.

Low Power Objective (LPO) Medium Power Objective (MPO)

Total Magnification: 40X Total Magnification: 100X

High Power Objective (HPO)

Total Magnification: 400X

QUESTIONS:

1. Look over the internet on the proper way of using the microscope. If you are to use a
binocular microscope, what are the common magnifications of the following?
a. Low power objective: 40X
b. Medium power objective: 100X
c. High power objective: 400X

2. What is the effect on the image when the following is adjusted?

a. Condenser
It generates a more uniform light and a clearer image.
b. Iris diaphragm
The intensity of light that goes through the specimen undergoing observation varies.
The image seems brighter when the diaphragm is expanded, but the contrast is poor.
When the diaphragm is closed, the image is darker, but the contrast is higher.
3. Is the orientation of letter “e” is the same in the ocular and on the stage? Explain your
answer.
No. When viewed from the stage, letter e is facing the correct way. However, when
viewed through the ocular, the letter is inverted and it appears backwards and upside
down.
4. What happens to the brightness of the view when you shift from low to high power objective?
The "field of view" diminishes as the objective lens lengthens and the diameter of the
glass lens in the objective lowers, allowing less light to enter the objective.
5. What happens when?
a. You rotate the coarse adjustment forward
As the stage rises, it gets closer to the objective lens. Excessive rotation will break the
slide and harm the lens.
b. You rotate the fine adjustment backward
The depth of focus of the stage goes lower, causing the slide to move away from the
objective lens.