Mohammed 1

Abstract:
I observed and tested different functions of a compound light microscope. Each part of a
microscope carries out a different purpose. I observed how each objective lens has its
own individual focus on a specimen, and depending on the contrast set the details one can
make out of a specimen.
Introduction:
Microscopes allow humans to observe what the naked eye cannot. There are various
microscopes depending on how much one wishes to magnify. Compound light
microscopes, for example, can help one magnify slides of dead organisms, like parts of a
flower or living microorganisms, such as bacteria. Each component of the compound
microscope enables its user to observe the specimen in the best way possible. The oculars
and objective lenses scan and magnify the object, and the focusing knobs allow one to
decide how much they would like to focus the image.
Materials:

Compound light microscope

Prepared slides: Letter e slide, three threads slide (in yellow, red, and purple),
diatoms, and golgi apparatus.
Glass microscope slide
Glass cover slip
Pond water

Method:
Observe the prepared slides using the compound light microscope.
Take the glass microscope slide and place a drop of pond water on it.
Cover it with a cover slip making sure there are no air bubbles.
Observe the wet mount under the microscope.
Results:
3.2 Characteristics of a microscope
Characteristic
Description
Code

Located at the arm

Light source
Condenser

Illuminator
Maximum revolving
power
Made up of stage clips
2 knobs, fine adjustment
and coarse adjustment

Stage
Focusing knobs

Function
Identification of
microscope
Varies the intensity of light
Focuses the light onto the
specimen
Holds the slide in place
Fine adjustment focuses
low power, coarse focuses
high

Mohammed 2
Objectives
Second set of lenses
Oculars
Set of lenses
3.3 Objectives present on my compound microscope
Objective
Low-power
Medium-power
High-dry
Oil-immersion

Objective
magnifying power
10x
40x
100x
45x

Scans the specimen

Magnifies the specimen

Total magnifying
power
100
400
10000
4500

Numerical Aperture
0.25
0.1
1.25
.66

3.3 E orientation of the image compared to the specimen

2. The image was right side up, and it was not backwards or upside down.
3. The specimen moved to the left when I moved it to the right through the
microscope.
4. The specimen moved up when I moved it away from me.
3.4 Order of Threads
Location
Closest to slide
Middle
Closest to cover slip

Color
Yellow
Red
Purple

3.4 H Units of Measurements

1 mm= 1,000, 000 nm
1 nm= .000001 mm
Conclusion:
Compound light microscopes have four power levels for the objective lens and
depending on how small the specimen or what type different powers may be used. When
observing a specimen one sees the opposite. If you move it to the right, it moves to the
left. The light microscope measures in micrometers and electric microscopes measure in
nanometers. Wet mounts can be used to observe live organisms like, bacteria in pond
water.
Discussion:
1. What is the function of the following parts of a microscope?
a. Condenser lens: focus the light on the specimen
b. Iris diaphragm: opens or closes the condenser

Mohammed 3
c. Objective: scans the specimen
d. Ocular: magnifies
2. In order list the lenses in the light path between a specimen viewed with the
compound light microscope and its image on the retina of the eye.
The light passes through or from the specimen, through the objective lens,
through the scope, through the ocular lens and into the eye.
3. What happens to contrast and resolving power when the aperture of the
condenser of a compound light microscope is decreased?
When the condenser is decreased contrast increases and resolving power
decreases.
4. What happens to the field of view in a microscope when the total magnification is
increased?
It gets smaller.
5. Describe the importance of the following concepts to microscopy:
a. Magnification: helps enlarge the specimen so it can be observed better.
b. Resolving power: helps one tell apart two images or details.
c. Contrast: illuminates the details of a specimen.
6. B.
7. Describe how you would care and put away your microscope
The microscope must be grasped from the arm when taking it out, or putting it
back. The dust cover must be removed before using, and any loose dust should be
blown off. None of the microscopes moving parts should be forced. When
putting the microscope away remove the last slide, wrap its cord around the
oculars, and place the dust cover back on.
8. Describe how to make a wet mount
Place the specimen on a microscope glass slide, add a drop of water, and place a
cover slip over it.
9. A camera mounted on an electric microscope took this photo.
10. Why were humans unaware of microorganisms for most of their history?
Because microorganisms could not be seen without a microscope.