MINI TASK 1

THE COMPOUND MICROSCOPE AND TISSUES

UBCARES: Active & Lifelong Learner
Microscopes have contributed significantly in the field of cell biology and histology
where great discoveries have been made. Just like plant and animal tissues, these are so
small to see clearly by the naked eye.
In this lab, you will learn about the proper use and handling of microscopes. We will
also see some tissue samples that you had learned from the discussion.

Objectives:
On the completion of the activity, the student should be able to:
• identify parts and function of the microscope; and
• calculate the total magnification value of the specimen seen under the
microscope; and
• classify the cells seen under the microscope.

Materials:
Compound Microscope
Prepares slides of plant and animal tissues
References

Procedure:
1. Watch the laboratory demonstration of your teacher.
2. Learn about the ocular lens(es) on the microscope:
Oculars may be permanently attached to the body tube, or they can slide out and be
replaced with oculars of different magnification (5X and 10X are the most common).
a) Is the microscope a monocular, binocular, or dual-viewing microscope?
The microscope is monocular.
b) What is/are the magnification of the ocular lens(es) on the microscope? (Be
sure there is X at the end of all the entries).
The magnification of the ocular lens on the microscope is 10x.
3. Learn about the objective lenses on the microscope:
Each objective lens has several numbers engraved on its side. Usually, the first
number indicates the magnification of the objective while the second number
indicates its numerical aperture (NA). In the given table, indicate which objectives are
 found on the microscope.

Type of Objective
Does the microscope have this
Lens Magnification
lens? Yes/No

Scanner 4x or 5x No

Low Power 10x Yes

High Power 40x Yes

Oil Immersion 100x Yes

a) What happens to the length of the objectives as the magnification increases?

Increased magnification, increases the apparent size of the object and resolution increases the clarity
of the object/image.
The total magnification of the microscope is calculated by multiplying the magnification of the
ocular by the magnification of the objective.
Ocular lens magnification X Objective lens magnification = Total Magnification
Note: The Ocular Magnification will be given by your teacher in order for you to answer b to e.

b) What is the total magnification of your microscope using the 4X lens?

40x.
c) What is the total magnification of your microscope using the 10X lens?
100x.
d) What is the total magnification of your microscope using the high-power objective?
400x.
e) What is the total magnification of your microscope using the oil immersion objective?
1000x.
 4. Label the microscope with its parts and function.

1. EYE PIECE

2. EYE PIECE
TUBE

19. COURSE 3. BODY TUBE

ADJUSTMENT KNOB

4. HEAD

5. REVOLVING
18. FINE ADJUSTMENT NOSE PIECE
KNOB

17. ARM
6. OBJECTIVE
7.STAGE CLIP
8. STAGE
9. IRIS DIAPHRAGM

10. STAGE
CONDESNSER

16. INCLINATION JOINT 11. SUB STAGE

12. MIRROR
15. PILLAR
13. ILLUMINATOR
14. BASE
FUNCTIONS
1. EYE PIECE- magnifies the primary image produced by the objective
2. EYE PIECE TUBE- holds the eyepieces in place above the objective lens
3. BODY TUBE- separates the objective and the eyepiece and assures continuous alignment
of the optics.
4. HEAD- carries the optical parts in the upper part of the microscope
5. REVOLVING NOSE PIECE- holds two or more objective lenses and can be rotated to
easily change power.
6. OBJECTIVE- relays a real image of the object to the eyepiece.
7. STAGE CLIP- hold the slides in place
8. STAGE- placed for observation
9. IRIS DIAPHRAGM- controls the amount of light reaching the specimen
10. STAGE CONDENSER- serves to gather wavefronts from the microscope light source and
concentrate them into a cone of light
11. SUB STAGE- gathers light from the microscope light source and concentrates it into a
cone of light
12. MIRROR- used to direct light from the light source to the microscopic field.
13. ILLUMINATOR- to provide even, high intensity light at the place of the field aperture
14. BASE- used for support Illuminator
15. PILLAR- provides support to all the remaining parts of the microscope
16. INCLINATION JOINT- tilt your microscope back for more comfortable viewing
17. ARM- Supports the tube and connects it to the base
18. FIND ADJUSTMENT KNOB- slow but precise control used to fine focus the image when
viewing at the higher magnifications.
19. COURSE ADJUSTMENT KNOB- allows for quick focusing by moving the objective lens
or stage up and down.
 5. On the next page are four cell/ tissue slides that were focused by your teacher under high
power objectives. Draw each in the circle and fill in the necessary information.

Slide #1 PARENCHYMA
Eyepiece Magnification = 5x
Objective Magnification- 10x
Total Magnification= 50x
Description of the tissue-
Parenchyma is a form of simple permanent tissue
found in plants' ground tissues, where other tissues
such as vascular tissues are anchored. They are non-
vascular and made up of undifferentiated, live cells
that have been manipulated to serve diverse activities.

Slide #2 SCLERENCHYMA
Eyepiece Magnification = 10x
Objective Magnification- 10x
Total Magnification- 100x
Description of the tisuue-
Sclerenchyma is a group of elongated, dead cells with
lignin deposits in their cell walls. Sclerenchyma is
found in the covering of seeds and nuts, around the
vascular tissues in stems, and in the veins of leaves.

Slide #3 TRANSITIONAL EPITHELIUM

Eyepiece Magnification = 12.5x
Objective Magnification- 10x
Total Magnification= 125x
Description of the tissue-
Transitional epithelium is a type of stratified epithelium
composed of multiple layers of cells whose shape
changes depending on the function of the organ.

Slide #4 AREOLAR
Eyepiece Magnification = 15x
Objective Magnifcation- 10x
Total Magnification= 150x
Description of the tissue-
Areolar is a connective tissue in which fibers are
loosely arranged in a net or meshwork. Supplement.
The tissue consists of collagenous and elastic fibers,
ground substance, and connective tissue cells.
Post Laboratory Discussion Questions:
1. Explain the reason as to why scientists use microscopes.
Microscopes assist scientists in studying micro organisms, cells, crystalline structures,
and molecular structures. They are also one of the most important diagnostic tools used by
doctors when examining tissue samples. Scientists were able to discover the existence of
microorganisms, study the structure of cells, and see the smallest parts of plants, animals,
and fungi by using microscopes.
2. Which objective lens was used to see the slide image the best? Explain.
To obtain the highest possible resolution while viewing through the highest power
objectives. This would be for your microscope when viewing slides with the 100x objective.
The 4x, 10x and 40x objectives will be enough fr most of the lab work. A 4x objective and 10x
eyepiece is 40x. Under this very low magnification it is relatively easy to survey the entire
slide.
3. How did you describe the tissue slides?
I described the tissue slides by Inspecting the given slides using my eyes to first
determine the shape of the prepared section. I then wrote down descriptions of the major and
minor structures that can be seen on the slides.