Activity 1 The Microscope

ST.
ALEXIUS COLLEGE
Gen. San. Drive, City of Koronadal, South Cotabato, Philippines 09506, Tel.: (083) 228-2019, Fax: (083) 228-4015, Email: st.alexiuscollege@yahoo.com
ACTIVITY 1
THE MICROSCOPE
I. INTRODUCTION
The microscope is a fundamental tool for Medical Technologists. This instrument has
been perfected over the past 300 years. It has, within limits, allowed the invisible to become the
visible. The extension of the eye or vision makes much information available to the curious
student. For instance: shape, size, position, connections, colors, number, texture and even
chemical composition are some of the facts that may be recorded by the eye and the microscope.
There are different types of microscopes. Few of which are the following:
(a) Light Microscope where models found in most schools, use compound lenses and
light to magnify objects. The lenses bend or refract the light, which makes the object
beneath them appear closer.
(b) Scanning Electron Microscope which allows scientists to view a universe too small
to be seen with a light microscope. SEMs do not use light waves; they use electrons
(negatively charged electrical particles) to magnify objects up to two million times.
(c) Transmission Electron Microscope which also uses electrons, but instead of scanning
the surface (as with SEM's) electrons are passed through very thin specimens.
As for the important precautions for handling the microscopes to keep them in great
condition for many years, the following tips are recommended:
(a) Carrying: Always carry your microscope with two hands, one grasping the arm or
back slot and the other supporting the base.
(b) Table Placement: Set the microscope on a flat, solid support and in a position where
it will note easily be knocked off. Coil the cord to avoid tripping over it.
(c) Putting Away:

1. Turn off light & center mechanical stage.
2. Position the nosepiece so that the lowest scanning (4x) objective is in place.
3. Remove the slide from the stage, put in proper place.
4. Clean the stage and lenses with gauze and lens cleaner, wipe off any oil.
5. Wrap the cord around the arm.
6. CAREFULLY carry with two hands and GENTLY place the microscope in the
proper cabinet.
Clinical Microscopy Laboratory Manual 1

Compiled by: Carl Jethro G. Dellosa, RMT & Janine Teza S. Villena, RMT, MSMT
ST. ALEXIUS COLLEGE
II. OBJECTIVES
At the end of the activity the students shall be able to:

1. identify the various parts of the compound microscope,
2. explain the different function/s of each part and the operating principle of the microscope,
3. manipulate the microscope properly and to determine the correct way of handling it, and
4. answer correctly the review questions.
III. MATERIALS
Compound Microscope
Glass slides
Pencil
Bond paper
Pair of scissors
IV. PROCEDURES
1. Obtain a prepared slide of the letter “d” or make your own slide by cutting out a “d” from
the newsprint provided. Place the cut out “d” on a glass microscope slide and slowly lower
a coverslip over it to hold it in place. DO NOT USE WATER.
2. Turn on the microscope lamp and set the light intensity at “8”.
3. Adjust the condenser to the highest or “all the way up” position, using the Condenser Height
Control knob.
4. Open the iris diaphragm all the way, using the Iris Diaphragm Control knob. The iris
diaphragm is all the way open when the greatest amount of light is visible shining through
the stage hole.
5. Place your slide on the stage. Position the letter "d", as it would be read, over the stage hole,
and secure the slide with the slide clamp.
6. Rotate the scanning (4x) objective lens into position and use the coarse adjustment knob to
move the stage and slide all the way up.
7. Look through the ocular lenses and turn the coarse adjustment knob CLOCKWISE until the
"d" comes into view.
8. Center the "d" in your field of view.
9. Fine focus the letter "d".
10. Adjust the iris diaphragm until you have the proper amount of light with good contrast. It is
very important that you reduce the light so that the details of the subject can be seen Using
too much light is the most common mistake that students make.
11. Increase the power of magnification until you are observing the subject at high power
(400X). Upon completion, turn the nosepiece to the lowest power objective. Remove and
clean the slide. Return all materials to their proper place.

ST. ALEXIUS COLLEGE
12. Draw the letter “d” as it appears to the unaided eye. Then draw the orientation of the letter
“d” as it appears under low power.
Macroscopic Microscopic
13. Draw the letter “d” as it appears to the unaided eye. Then draw the orientation of the letter
“d” as it appears under high power.
Macroscopic Microscopic

ST. ALEXIUS COLLEGE
ACTIVITY 1
THE MICROSCOPE
Performance Assessment Sheet
Name:___________________________________________ Date:______________________
PROCEDURE RATING COMMENTS

You must:
1. Wash hands and wear PPE.
2. Obtain a prepared slide of the letter “d” or make your own
slide by cutting out a “d” from the newsprint provided.
Place the cut out “d” on a glass microscope slide and slowly
lower a coverslip over it to hold it in place. DO NOT USE
WATER.
3. Turn on the microscope lamp and set the light intensity at
“8”.
4. Adjust the condenser to the highest or “all the way up”
position, using the Condenser Height Control knob.
5. Open the iris diaphragm all the way, using the Iris
Diaphragm Control knob. The iris diaphragm is all the way
open when the greatest amount of light is visible shining
through the stage hole.
6. Place your slide on the stage. Position the letter "d", as it
would be read, over the stage hole, and secure the slide with
the slide clamp.
7. Rotate the scanning (4x) objective lens into position and
use the coarse adjustment knob to move the stage and slide
all the way up.
8. Look through the ocular lenses and turn the coarse
adjustment knob CLOCKWISE until the “d” comes into
view.
9. Center the “d” in your field of view.
10. Fine focus the letter “d”.
11. Adjust the iris diaphragm until you have the proper
amount of light with good contrast. It is very important
that you reduce the light so that the details of the subject
can be seen Using too much light is the most common
mistake that students make.
12. Increase the power of magnification until you are
observing the subject at high power (400X). Upon
completion, turn the nosepiece to the lowest power
objective. Remove and clean the slide. Return all materials
to their proper place.

ST. ALEXIUS COLLEGE
13. Draw the letter “d” as it appears to the unaided eye. Then
draw the orientation of the letter “d” as it appears under
low power.
14. Draw the letter “d” as it appears to the unaided eye. Then
draw the orientation of the letter “d” as it appears under
high power.
Rating: 4 = Excellent 3 = Very Satisfactory 2 = Satisfactory 1 = Poor 0 = Not Done
Level of Competency:
Instructor: Date Evaluated:
Student:

ST. ALEXIUS COLLEGE
ACTIVITY 1
THE MICROSCOPE
Report Sheet
Name: _______________________________________ Date: _________________

Score: ________________
List all the parts and function of the Microscope
Text 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.

ST. ALEXIUS COLLEGE
REVIEW QUESTIONS:
1. What microscope part is used to change light intensity?
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
2. What happens to the light intensity as you increase the magnification?
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
3. What are your conclusions about the appearance and movement of an object when viewed through
a microscope?
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________


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ST.

(c) Putting Away:

Clinical Microscopy Laboratory Manual 1

At the end of the activity the students shall be able to:

Clinical Microscopy Laboratory Manual 2

Clinical Microscopy Laboratory Manual 3

PROCEDURE RATING COMMENTS

Clinical Microscopy Laboratory Manual 4

Rating: 4 = Excellent 3 = Very Satisfactory 2 = Satisfactory 1 = Poor 0 = Not Done

Instructor: Date Evaluated:

Clinical Microscopy Laboratory Manual 5

Name: _______________________ Date: _

List all the parts and function of the Microscope

Clinical Microscopy Laboratory Manual 6

2. What happens to the light intensity as you increase the magnification?

Clinical Microscopy Laboratory Manual 7

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