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Using The Microscope - Microscope Parts and Their Function
Using The Microscope - Microscope Parts and Their Function
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Using the Microscope – Microscope Parts and Their Function
Microscope Parts
What the Parts Do:
Ocular (eyepiece) ‐ the lens you look through, magnifies the specimen
Base ‐ supports the microscope
Nosepiece ‐ holds objective lenses
Low Power Objective Lens and High Power Objective Lens ‐ magnify the specimen (2)
Arm ‐ supports upper parts of the microscope, used to carry the microscope
Fine Focus Knob ‐ used to focus when using the high power objective
Stage ‐ where the slide is placed
Diaphragm ‐ regulates the amount of light reaching the objective lens
Course Focus Knob ‐ used to focus when using the low power objective
Light Source ‐ provides light
Stage Clips ‐ hold slide in place on the stage
After School Discovery, P.O. Box 113, Ashtabula, OH 44005 – 440.993.1060 – asd@afterschooldiscovery.com
Using the Microscope – General Procedures
How Do You Carry a Microscope?
Use two hands, with one holding the arm and the other under the base; almost like
carrying a football. Please be careful they are expensive and we don’t want to drop them!
Definitions:
Magnification (mag‐ne‐fe‐ʹka‐shen) n. 1. the apparent enlargement of an object 2. the
ratio of image size to actual size. A magnification of ʺ100xʺ means that the image is
1000 times bigger than the actual object because of the 10x Ocular.
Resolution (rez‐e‐loo‐shen) n. 1. clarity, sharpness 2. the ability of a microscope to
show two very close points separately.
Materials:
Microscope Soil/water mixture Lens paper
Glass slide Oil Lab Notebook
Cover slip
Procedures:
1. Obtain a glass slide and a cover slip.
2. Place a very small portion of the soil‐water mixture onto the center of the slide. The mixture should
only be a small drop. (about 5mm in diameter; 1/10th of an inch).
3. Cover the solution with the cover slip. Instead of just dropping the cover slip on the top, gently
place it first on one end then the other to remove the air bubbles.
4. Leave the slide on the table and plug in your microscope.
5. Flip the switch on the side and turn it on.
6. Now put a drop of oil on your cover slip.
7. Place the slide on the stage, and make sure that the metal clips hold the slide securely.
8. Adjust the lens first to 10X then to 100X, or to oil immersion (where 100X lens first touches oil).
9. GENTLY, turn the coarse adjustment knob (the large knob) TOWARDS you until the lens reaches
the oil. The oil should change from a bubble shape to a flat shape once the lens touches it.
DO NOT grind the lens into the cover slip.
10. Now look through the eye piece and rotate the fine adjustment knob (the smaller knob) until the
view becomes clear.
11. If you have problems will step #10, turn the coarse adjustment knob AWAY from you, and repeat
steps #9‐10.
12. Draw a picture of the image with captions in your laboratory notebook.
13. When finished operating the microscope, gently wipe off the 100X (oil immersion) lens with lens
paper. (Use only lens paper since other material will scratch the lens).
14. Safely store the microscope.
After School Discovery, P.O. Box 113, Ashtabula, OH 44005 – 440.993.1060 – asd@afterschooldiscovery.com
Using the Microscope ‐ Wet Mounts and Staining a Slide
How to Make a Wet Mount:
1. Gather a thin slice of your specimen. If the specimen is too thick, then the coverslip will wobble on
top of the sample like a see‐saw:
2. Place ONE drop of water directly over the specimen. If you put too much water over the specimen,
then the coverslip will float on top of the water, making it harder to draw the specimen.
3. Place the coverslip at a 45 degree angle (approximately), with one edge touching the water drop,
and then let go.
How to Stain a Slide:
1. Place one drop of Methylene Blue stain on one edge of the coverslip, and the flat edge of a piece of
paper towel on the other edge. The paper towel will draw the water under the coverslip, and draw
the stain underneath.
2. As soon as the stain has covered the area containing the specimen you are finished. If the stain
does not cover the area needed, get a new piece of paper towel and add more stain.
3. Be sure to wipe off the excess stain with a paper towel, so you don’t end up staining the objective
lenses.
4. You are now ready to place the slide on the microscope stage. Be sure to follow the general
instructions on the previous page on how to properly use the microscope.
5. When you have completed your drawings, be sure to wash and dry both the slide and the
coverslip and return them to the correct places!
After School Discovery, P.O. Box 113, Ashtabula, OH 44005 – 440.993.1060 – asd@afterschooldiscovery.com
Using the Microscope – Test Your Knowledge
What is the difference between resolution and magnification?
How do you safely carry a microscope?
Label the Parts of the
Microscope.
arm
base
body tube
coarse focus knob
diaphragm
fine focus knob
high power objective lens
light source
low power objective lens
nosepiece
ocular (eyepiece)
stage
stage clips
What do the Parts Do?
____ Where the slide is placed 1. Low Power Objective Lens and
____ Used to focus when using the low power objective High Power Objective Lens
____ Magnify the specimen 2. Stage
____ Supports upper parts of the microscope, 3. Course Focus Knob
used to carry microscope 4. Arm
____ Used to focus when using the high power objective 5. Fine Focus Knob
____ The lens you look through, magnifies the specimen 6. Ocular (eyepiece)
____ Supports the microscope 7. Base