MICROBIOLOGY AND PARASITOLOGY

ACTIVITY 1: MICROSCOPY

Part 1 – Guide Questions. Concisely answer the guide questions provided after. Use the
information provided by or suggested in the passage. (3 points each)

1. What is the difference between magnification and resolution? Explain why they are both
important to be accounted in microscopy.

Magnification refers to how near or far the specimen would appear to the viewer, while
resolution points out the quality of the specimen being observed. The importance of
magnification is that it doesn’t only allow a person to have an overview of the specimen, but it
also gradually lets the person see the specimen closer. The resolution, on the other hand, helps in
identifying the smaller parts as it makes the picture more vivid. Both magnification and
resolution works in tandem to give a more accurate and precise structure of the specimen being
studied.

2. Aside from other control and adjustment knobs, why it is equally important to adjust the
iris diaphragm and condenser while observing specimens under the microscope?

The iris diaphragm and condenser is important because the amount and focus of light is
controlled through these. Light that can reach the specimen is regulated by the diaphragm so that
the resolution is controlled. The condenser then helps to even out the light so that the specimen
can have uniform intensity.

3. How the total magnifying power of the lenses in the microscope is determined? Give
some examples.

The ocular lens which usually has a 10x magnification is multiplied with the magnification of
the objective lens in used. If a Low Power Objective (LPO) with a 10x magnification is used, the
total magnifying power would be 100x. Whereas, the magnifying power would amount to 400x
when the High Power Objective (HPO) with a 40x magnification is used together with the ocular
lens.

4. Why are the lengths of the cells usually approximated when we record their values for
length?

The length of cells are commonly estimated because the measurements obtained are not
precise enough. Graduations are spaced in millimetres, however data needed requires to be in
micrometres. In this case, approximation is done in order to find the average length instead.

5. Do the calibration factor computed varies according to different magnification (objective

lenses being used)? Explain.
 The calibration factor would vary for each objective lens because the scope of the ocular lens
changes with the magnification. The ocular lens would have to be lined with the stage
micrometre in order for the calibration to be computed. A 10x magnification would allow to
reach almost the whole stage micrometre however a 100x magnification would only manage to
contain a smaller part of the stage micrometre.

Part 2 – Problem-Solving. Based on the results of using Hanging-drop method in Figure 2

(Image from exploringtheinvisible.com, 2014), accurately illustrate and describe five (5)
microorganisms that can be observed. (2 points each item)

PROBLEM #1

a) A commercial stage micrometer has a total length of 1000 µm and is divide into 100
equal divisions. What is the length of each stage division in millimeters? Show your solution.

1000 µm
= 10 µm
100

1 mm
10 µm × =0.01 mm
1000 µm

The length of each stage division in

millimetres is 0.01 mm.

b) Twelve (14) ocular divisions coincide with three stage divisions. Assuming that the
graduations of the stage micrometre are spaced 10 µm, what is the known distance
between the three stage divisions in millimetres? Show your solution.

1 stage division = 10 µm so; 3 stage divisions = 30 µm

The known distance between the three stage
1mm
30 µm × = 0.03 mm
1000 µm divisions in millimetres is 0.03 mm.

c) With the same given information on b), what would be the distance of one ocular
division? Show your solution.

12 ocular divisions = 3 stage divisions;

0.03 mm(known distance between the 3 stage divisions)

1 ocular division = = 0.0025 mm
12(coinciding number of ocular division)

1000 µm One ocular division would be

0.0025 mm × =2.5 µm
1mm
equal to 0.0025 mm or 2.5 µm.

PROBLEM #2
d) Base on the image, how many ocular divisions and stage divisions respectively it takes
for them to exactly and accurately coincide with each other?

e) Base on a certain magnification the image was observed, if one stage division
corresponds to 0.1 mm distance, what would be
4.2 ocular divisions coincide
distance of each ocular division?
with 2 stage divisions.
4.2 ocular divisions is equivalent to 2 stage
divisions, wherein 1 stage division = 0.1 mm.

2× 0.1 mm 0.2 mm 1000 µm

1 ocular division =  = 0.0476 mm × = 47.62 µm
4.2 4.2 1mm
Each ocular division would be equal to 0.0476 mm or 47.62 µm.

PROBLEM #3

f) What is the size of the nucleus in micrometers?

Based on the image, the nucleus occupies 0.1 mm. When

converted to micrometers;

1000 µm
0.1 mm × = 100 µm;
1mm
The size of the nucleus in micrometers is 100 µm.

g) What is the size of the cell in micrometers?

A total of two cells measure 1 mm so each cell has a size of 0.5 mm. When converted to
micrometers;

1000 µm
0.5 mm × = 500 µm;
1mm
The size of the cell in micrometers is 500 µm.
PROBLEM #4

h) Based on your microscopic observation,

how many individual cell thus the string is
comprised of?

Seven individual cells can be observed.

i) What is approximate combine cell length

of the cells?
 Based on the image and measurement provided, 10 µm appears to be equivalent to two cells.

2 cells = 10 µm
With this, it can be assumed that the total size of
7 the cell is approximately 35 µm.
 ×10=35 µm
2

PROBLEM #5

Given:

• The used ocular objective while taking this image, has magnifying power of 6x

• The used objective while taking this image, has a magnifying power of 100x

• The used stage micrometer has spaces graduation of 0.01 mm each

• Ten (10) graduations on the ocular micrometer conincided with two (2) graduations on
the stage micrometer.

j) What is the total magnification of the

image under microscope? Show your solution.

Magnifying power of ocular is multiplied

to the objective.

6x × 100x = 600x

The total magnification of

the image is 600x.

k) What is the distance of one ocular

division? Show your solution.

2× 0.01 mm 0.02 mm
One ocular division =  =
10 10
0.002 mm

1000 µm
0.002 mm × = 2 µm
1mm
One ocular division is 0.002 mm or 2 µm.

l) What is approximate cell length of Cell A?

One ocular division = 2 µm; Cell A occupies approximately 1.8 ocular division

Length of organism = 1.8 × 2 µm = 3.6 µm is the approximate length of Cell A

m) What is approximate cell length of Cell B?

One ocular division = 2 µm; Cell B occupies approximately 1.5 ocular division

Length of organism = 1.5 × 2 µm = 3 µm is the approximate length of Cell B

n) What is approximate cell length of Cell C?

One ocular division = 2 µm; Cell C occupies approximately 1.7 ocular division

Length of organism = 1.7 × 2 µm = 3.4 µm is the approximate length of Cell C

o) What is approximate combined cell length of Cell A and Cell B? Show your solution.

3.6 µm (Cell A) + 3 µm (Cell B) = 6.6 µm

6.6 µm is the approximate combined cell length of Cell A and Cell B