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Objective
1. We will learn how to use a light compound microscope.
2. We will learn the different parts of a light compound microscope.
3. We will learn how to use a dissecting microscope.
4. We will learn the different parts of a dissecting microscope.
Materials
● Light compound microscope
● Dissecting microscope
● Slides
● Kim-wipes
● Methylene Blue
● Methyl Red
● Lugol’s Solution
● Materials being observed
○ Eyelash
○ Snake skin
○ Cotton
○ Aloe Vera Gel
○ Cheek Cell
Method
Prior to the actual lab, in order to know what we were doing for it, we had to
sketch two microscopes which included the light compound microscope and the
dissecting microscope. Once we completed the sketches we had to label them.
After the sketching and labeling was done, we just had to look at the microscope
and learn their parts.
To actually begin the lab, get the microscope from the area they are located
and use one hand to grab the arm and the other hand to hold the base. first pick a
specimen to observe. If in any case the object didn’t look clear enough, adjust the
objective lense to try to get it as clear as possible or if the object wasn’t placed
well, use the coarse objective knob to move the stage up to try to improve the
quality.
Data
Light compound microscope
● Arm: Supports the tude and Connects it to the base.
● Eyepiece: contains a lense that magnifies about 10x
● Body tube: separates the eyepiece lens from the objective lens.
● Nosepiece: hold the lower-power and high-power objective lenses,
allows the lenses to rotate for viewing.
● Stage: supports the side being used.
● High-power objective lense: magnifies about 40x
● Low-power objective lense: magnifies about 10x
● Diaphragm: controls the amount of light passing through the opening
of the stage
● Mirror: reflects the light upward through the diaphragm
● Coarse adjustment knob: moves the body tube for focusing with the
low-power objective lens.
● Fine adjustment knob: moves the body tube for focusing for
high-power objective lense.
● Power switch: The main power switch that turns the illumination on
or off
● Stage clip: holds the slide in place
● Base: Provides basal support for the microscope.
2. Dissecting microscope
● Stage clips: Holds the slide in place.
● Stage plate: Specimens and objects are placed here to be viewed.
● Power button: Turns the microscope on and off.
● Eyepiece: Look through here to see specimen.
● Transmitted Illumination Control: Most specimens that are
examined are opaque, the transmitted illumination control is used to
shed extra light on the compound.
● Focus control: Adjusts the focus
● Objective lenses: Objective lenses are the lenses that allow to see the
● Zoom control: Changes the objective lenses
● Incident Illumination Control: Provides additional light to a
compound from the bottom of the microscope
● Upper Illumination Control: Allows observing opaque non
transparent objects in reflected light
● Trinocular Port: A lense where you attach a microscope camera.
Cheek Cell:(400x)
Compound Microscope ( above pictures) (100x)
Dissecting Microscope ( below picture)
Analysis
1. When was the first microscope invented?
1590
7. Why should you never begin a specimen observation with the high power
objective lens?
Never begin with the high power objective lens because it could potentially
break the plate with the specimen on it.
8. What were the major differences between the cheek cells and onion cells?
N/A
9. Suppose a student is having a difficult time seeing a specimen under the high
power objective. What could be some of the possible problems?
Depending on how big the specimen is, the high power objective lens could
be the wrong one.
10.If you wanted to see a fly under the compound microscope, why would you
have difficulties?----- You will have difficulties because the fly is too big for
the microscope to focus on the fly so it wouldn't focus on the fly besides a
cheek cell where you will see it because it’s a small layer.
Conclusion:
1. What was the most challenging part about using a microscope?
The most challenging part of this lab was to remember to use the coarse
knob to adjust the stage.
4. Do you feel you are able to use a microscope proficiently, yes or no, why?
I think that collectively as a group we all can use a microscope proficiently
because we all took turns to use the microscope.
5. What was the best part of this lab, and what would you change about this
lab to make it better for next year’s students?
The best part of this lab was having the choice to observe what we wanted
to. I wouldn’t change anything about this lab because everything we had to
do was self explanatory.