Microscopy: Parts & Observations

Name: ______________________ Date: ___________

1. Label the parts of a microscope on the diagram below.

WORD BANK
Arm Eyepiece Nosepiece
Base Fine adjustment Stage
Body tube High power objective Stage clips
Coarse adjustment Light source Med. Power objective
Diaphragm Low power objective

1 Minority Science Programs – School of Biological Sciences – University of California, Irvine

2. Match the part of the microscope with its function.
___ Where the slide is placed 1. Objectives
___ Used to focus when using the low power objective 2. Base
___ Magnifies the specimen 3. Arm
___ Used to carry microscope 4. Course adjustment
___ Used to focus when using the high power objective 5. Stage
___ The lens you look through, magnifies the specimen 6. Eyepiece
___ Supports the microscope 7. Fine adjustment

3. Magnification: Calculate the total magnification for each objective.

Eyepiece: 10X Objectives: 4X, 10X, or 40X

4X objective: __ ___ x ____ __ = _____ X__
10X objective: ______ x ______ = _____X__
40X objective: ______ x ______ = _____X__
4. Observe the letter “e” with your naked eye and the microscope. Draw only what you see through the
eyepiece. Include the correct magnification.

Naked eye _______ X

What do you observe about the orientation and direction of the image?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

5. Observe the colored comic strip with your naked eye and the microscope. Draw only what you see
through the eyepiece. Include the correct magnification.

Naked eye _______ X

6. Observe a prepared slide at different magnifications. Record the title of the slide. Draw only what
you see through the eyepiece. Include the correct magnification.
 Slide title: __________________________

_______ X _______ X
Slide Preparations:
Letter “e”: Make a class set of letter “e” slides by printing out a page of tab-delimited e’s. Cut out
each letter and secure them to slides using clear nail polish and a cover slip. Let dry overnight
before using.

Comic strip: Cut out small pieces of colored newspaper comic strips. Have students place them on a
slide with a cover slip when viewing under the microscope.

Prepared slides: Use a commercially available set of assorted prepared slides.

Cheek cells: Have each student scrape the inside of their cheek using a cotton swab. Smear the swab on
a clean slide to dislodge the cells. Add a drop of bromothymol blue stain and cover with a
cover slip. Disinfect used slides with bleach. Only allow students to handle their own cheek cell
slides.