General Biology 1 Module 1: Cell Biology

Enriching Our Lives through Science:

Performance Task in General Biology 1
Name: __________________________________________ Section: _________________ Score: ____/50

ACTIVITY 1: THE CELL AND THE MICROSCOPE

The Research Laboratory Division of Saint Louis School Inc., has just released a virtual microscopy software that would
give students the opportunity to use a microscope even at home. The software is equipped with the functions of a
microscope as well as different slide samples of plant and animal cell and tissues (Situation). However, since the software
is new, it needs to be tested and evaluated first before releasing it to the public (Goal). As a Biologist (Role), you were
tasked to test the software and to assess the functionality of the microscope as well as the sample slides (Performance).
Your report (Product) will be submitted to the Science Area of SLSI (Audience) and will be evaluated based on the
accuracy and correctness of your drawing and labels as well as the content and arguments in your answers to the
questions. (Standards).
OVERVIEW
Follow along in this online exercise, with guided instruction covering the basics of light microscopy, comparable to what
you would learn in a seated lab. You will identify components of the microscope, understand the functions of those
components, learn how to focus on a specimen, and review proper care and maintenance.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
• Identify the parts of the light microscope and describe the function of each.
• List the steps in focusing a light microscope.
• Describe how to properly handle the light microscope, focus slides, and clean the microscope when finished.

BACKGROUND
When we walk out the door each day we see many examples of life on earth – trees, birds, other humans. Unless
we look closer, we will miss the huge diversity of life that is too small to be seen with our eyes alone. The majority of life
on earth is microscopic and, until tools were available to visualize these organisms, they were completely overlooked.
One of the first tools that opened our eyes to microbial life was the microscope. The light microscope uses lenses along
with light to magnify items up to 1000x. This allows us to see organisms like bacteria, archaea, yeasts, protozoans, and
algae that we would never notice because they are so small. In addition, we can also look closer to see cells that are the
building blocks of the macroscopic organisms (like ourselves, the trees, and birds we noticed earlier.)

In addition to magnifying organisms, most cells are colorless so many times preparing slides also involves adding
stains (dyes) to color the cells so they are more easily viewed. The slides you will use are either naturally pigmented or
have been stained so we can find them more easily. Look for these colors as you are focusing on the virtual microscope.

THE MICROSCOPE AND YOUR EYES

Students often wonder if they should remove their glasses when using a microscope. If you are nearsighted or
farsighted, there is no need to wear your glasses. The focus adjustments will compensate. If you have astigmatism,
however, you should wear your glasses because microscope lenses do not correct for this problem. You should still wear
your glasses when working with the virtual microscope.

PROCEDURE 1: Introduction to the Microscope and its Parts

1) Go to http://www.ncbionetwork.org/iet/microscope/.
2) Click on the Guide link (bottom of the home page).
3) Click through the six parts of the Guide, starting with the Introduction. You can use the arrows at the bottom of the
Guide box to guide you through the chapters.
4) When you have completed all six sections, click Close.
5) Next click on the Learn link (bottom of the page), which will take you to an image of a microscope with question marks.
6) Starting at the top of the microscope, click on the question marks identifying the parts of the microscope.
7) Read the description of the part of the microscope and take notes as needed.
8) Continue clicking on question marks until all turn to green check marks.
a) Do not forget to click on the question marks for items associated with the microscope.
b) You may click on any green check mark to review any part of the microscope.
c) Use the Microscope Parts checklist on the next page to ensure all parts have been identified.
9) Click on the Next button (bottom right).
10) Start on the left and click on the question mark. When the lens enlarges click on each question mark until each turn
into a green check mark. Read the descriptions and take notes as needed.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:
This module and any of its attachments are meant for the use of the learners who are enrolled in this subject. This module is for academic/school purposes only and is
not meant for sharing, publishing, copying, and disseminating. Hence, the distribution of this module and any of its content/s is strictly prohibited.)
 General Biology 1 Module 1: Cell Biology

11) Click on the Next button (bottom right).

12) Click on the Dry Slide and Oiled Slide buttons to see the difference why immersion oil is used for the 100X objective
lens.
13) Click on the Next button (bottom right).
14) Click on the Eyepiece Options and Lens Options to learn about calculating total magnification. Try all combinations
and see how the Letter ‘e’ slides image changes.
15) Click on the Next button (bottom right) to return to the home page.
16) Answer the activity below.
17) In sketching the sample slides, you may print the activity paper or you may do digital art in doing the sketches.

1. Identify each of the following by letter.

K On/Off Switch C Eyepiece / Ocular Lens

J Arm F Nosepiece

G Objective Lenses D Stage

H Diaphragm E Stage Adjustment

M Base L Coarse Adjustment

A Lens Paper N Fine Adjustment

B Immersion Oil P Slide box

O Kimwipes

2. Explain what each of the following does:

kimwipes Kimwipes are a brand of specialty paper-based cleaning wipes suited for cleaning
laboratory equipment and instruments, camera lenses, fiber optic connectors and other
sensitive electronic component.

immersion oil A special oil is used exclusively with a 100x or higher objective lens, typically at 1000x
total power.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:
This module and any of its attachments are meant for the use of the learners who are enrolled in this subject. This module is for academic/school purposes only and is
not meant for sharing, publishing, copying, and disseminating. Hence, the distribution of this module and any of its content/s is strictly prohibited.)
 General Biology 1 Module 1: Cell Biology

diaphragm Most useful at higher powers, the diaphragm is typically a five-hole disc housed under
the stage that adjusts the amount of lighting passing through the stage opening.

stage adjustment knob A mechanical stage allows for adjustment of the slide position forward, backward, and
left or right.
PROCEDURE 2: Sample Slides

Sample Slides - Letter E

1. Sketch the view at each magnification.

2. What did you need to do before viewing the slide at 100x?

You need an Immersion oil.

3. A common mistake for beginners is thinking that the “e” just disappears at the high magnification. How would you
explain to a younger student what happened to the e as you increase the magnification?

I’ll tell them that the “e” did not disappear but we zoomed into it, leading to us seeing just a part of “e” not the
whole of it.

Plant Cells

4. Sketch the view at each magnification. You may need to adjust the light.

Nucleus

Chloroplast
s

5. Label Your Drawings: On the 40x view, center the cell, tiny green dots are visible. These are chloroplasts. Label
them on your drawing. You can also see a large, darker circle at this view. That is the nucleus. Label it on your drawing.

Human Blood

6. Sketch the blood cells at each magnification.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:
This module and any of its attachments are meant for the use of the learners who are enrolled in this subject. This module is for academic/school purposes only and is
not meant for sharing, publishing, copying, and disseminating. Hence, the distribution of this module and any of its content/s is strictly prohibited.)
 General Biology 1 Module 1: Cell Biology

7. At 100x, you will see a cell that is larger and has a dark shape in it. This cell doesn’t look like the others because it is a
white blood cell and it functions to protect your body against microbes. Red blood cells do not have a nucleus. White
blood cell count is used as a diagnostic tool to determine if someone is sick. If you were fighting an infection, would you
expect to have more or less WBC’s? Why?

When you’re fighting an infection you’re likely to expect more white blood cells to be produced, to fight the
bacteria, viruses, or other foreign substance causing your illness.

Synthesis and Discussion

8. Compare blood cells to plant cells, include details about color, general shape, and size. Write this as a complete
sentence or paragraph.

Human blood cells have two common types, the white blood cells, commonly lighter pink with some darker
stained nuclei, while the red blood cells are just typically pinkish and all almost round in shape. The Plant cells,
have two prominent and obvious cells, the chloroplasts which are the tiny small circles. While the most obvious
bigger circle is called a nucleus. The color is also commonly green.

9. Explore bacteria slides. You don’t need to screenshot them. Compare the bacteria slides to the blood cells and
include details about their color, general shape, and size. Write this as a complete sentence or paragraph.

Blood cells have consistent sizes and color. Also, they have the same properties for bacteria
cells, they come in many shapes and sizes, and can vary in color, but from most of the slides
I’ve seen most prominent color is blue. Blood cells are also, shaped a little round and just
typically pinkish. They are also, closely packed, while Bacteria cells can vary from closely
adjacent with other to spread apart.

10. Generalization. What did you learn from this activity?

I learned about the different parts of the microscope and each of its uses. I also learned how to
operate it in a virtual way, and study different slides that contains certain cells from plants,
animals, letters, and even humans.
I learned the different types of lenses and how it is important to adjust the fine and coarse
lens to tune the image that I want to get from the microscope. I also learned to use the
kimwipes and lens paper to make sure that the microscope is cleaned up before I can use the
other slides.
I was able to use every type of magnifying lens to thoroughly investigate some parts of a
specific cells, and identify the cells through their color, sizes, and common characteristics.
Also, I learned that in order to use the 100x magnifying lens, I had to use an immersion oil to
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:
This module and any of its attachments are meant for the use of the learners who are enrolled in this subject. This module is for academic/school purposes only and is
not meant for sharing, publishing, copying, and disseminating. Hence, the distribution of this module and any of its content/s is strictly prohibited.)
 General Biology 1 Module 1: Cell Biology

help adjust the lighting, and that adjusting the coarse lens too much during this process can
break the slides.

Grading Rubric for Performance Task

 RUBRIC FOR ESSAY QUESTIONS:

  The content The content is focused The content is focused The content is focused,
poorly addresses the on topic and includes on the topic and purposeful, and reflects
Content and question and includes few loosely related includes relevant clear insight and ideas.
Supporting Idea/s irrelevant ideas. ideas. ideas.
Persuasively supports
Provides little or no Supports main point with main point with well-
support for the main some underdeveloped Supports main point developed reasons
point. reasons and/or with developed and/or examples.
examples. reasons and/or (5)
(2) examples.
(1) (4)
 RUBRIC FOR DRAWING:
The field of view is The field of view is The field of view is not The field of view is not
drawn as a “fixed” drawn as a “fixed” circle drawn as a “fixed” drawn as a “fixed” circle
circle. but not in scale. circle. and is not in scale.
The drawing is an The drawing is The drawing has The drawing is clearly
accurate representation somewhat a missing details of the not accurate and has no
Drawing and Labeling of the specimen in representation of the specimen (lack of attention to details.
shape and color. specimen in shape and attention in detail such The drawing is not
The drawing is situated color. as color and shape). situated on one side of
on one side of the The drawing is situated The drawing is not the paper, labeling is
paper only and all on one side of the paper situated on one side of everywhere and there
prominent cell parts only and some the paper, labeling is are no labels.
were correctly labeled. prominent cell parts everywhere and labels
were correctly labeled. are inaccurate. (1)
(5) (4) (2)

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:
This module and any of its attachments are meant for the use of the learners who are enrolled in this subject. This module is for academic/school purposes only and is
not meant for sharing, publishing, copying, and disseminating. Hence, the distribution of this module and any of its content/s is strictly prohibited.)