University of Guyana Bio 1200 Lab 2 (12 th & 13th February 2020)

Total 50 points

Title: Basic Microscopy

Aim: Observations under the Microscope

Objectives: To use the microscope to observe the letter “i” and “j” from three different quality of
printed materials
Introduction: 1 paragraph describing the different types of microscopes and their functions (3 points)
1 paragraph describing the different type of printers (2 points)
Materials: 1. Light/Compound Microscope
2. Microscope slide and cover slip
3. Clippings of newspaper, material printed on an inkjet printer and a LaserJet printer
4. Water in dropper
Method:
Inspecting your microscope
Before you begin to use your microscope first examine it and become familiar with the various parts.
As you do this make sure that your microscope has all parts in good working order and that your
microscope is clean (especially the lens).
Preparing your slide
You have been provided with three qualities of printed material. Place a drop or two of water in the
centre of the slide. Then place a clipping of the material unto the drop of water. Place the cover slip
over the water and printed material by first standing the slip near the mount and then gradually
lowering it to cover. You should be able to eliminate any air bubbles from your slide.
Using your microscope
To use your microscope, follow these steps:
1. Make sure that your microscope has the low power or scanning objective in position.
2. Open the diaphragm fully
3. Look through the eyepiece and observe any objects in the field of view. These are stains of
objects on your lens. If the lens is badly stained bring it to the attention of the demonstrators and
use another microscope.
4. First observe the letter ‘i’ or ‘j’ with your naked eye and record your observation in words and by
drawing. Specifically observe the edge of the letter and the shape of the dot.
5. Place your prepared slide unto the stage and lock it in. Adjust the stage so that the printed
material you have mounted on the slide is under your objective lens.
6. Using the coarse adjustment knob, adjust the height of the stage so as to allow you to see the
material as clear as possible.
7. Adjust the stage so as to bring an ‘i’ or ‘j’ into your field of view.
8. Bring your image into greater focus by using the fine adjustment knob
9. Adjust the diaphragm. What happens when you change the aperture size of the diaphragm?
10. Set the aperture to the best size for your viewing.
11. Observe the shape of the dot and edge of the letter. Record your observations in words and by
drawing when viewing them under the 10X objective lens.
12. Use the microscope to answer the following questions.
a. In what direction do the objects appear to move when the stage is shifted to the left?
b. In what direction do the objects appear to move when the stage is shifted towards
you?

Results: Drawings (6 drawings total = 3 by naked eye and 3 under microscope)

Mark Scheme for Drawings:
Title and Magnification 1
Neatness 1
Accuracy and observation in words 3
Total Points 5 (per drawing)
Discussion:

a) Briefly discuss how the three images differed from each other when viewed by naked eye and
then under microscope (3 points).
b) Answers to questions

9 (1 point)
12 (a) (1 point)
12 (b) (1 point)

c) Record the magnification label for the following: -

1. The eye piece (1 point)
2. All objective lens (0.5 point each = 1.5 points)

The total magnification using the lenses can be determined by multiplying the objective lens with the
ocular lens. State what is the total magnification of an item viewed with each objective lens. (0.5
point each = 1.5 points)
What is the range of magnification of the microscope? (1 point)
Conclusion/s: (2 points)
Reference List: (2 points)
Format
Please use the following format for the cover page of this lab and all other labs in this course,
unless otherwise instructed.

Cover page format:

University of Guyana
Faculty of Natural Sciences
Department of Biology

Course code: Bio 1200

Lab Title:
Lab Number:

Name:
USI:
Date submitted:
Lab format:

Title:

Aim/s:

Objective/s:

Introduction:

Materials:

Method:

Written in past tense as numbered steps e.g.

1. A drop of water was placed in the centre of the slide.

2. Clipping of the printed material was placed unto the drop of water etc.

Results:

Discussion:

Conclusion/s:

Reference List: (APA format in text and list)