SELF-LEARNING PACKAGE IN

BIOTECHNOLOGY
Laboratory Apparatus
Learning Competency:

Explain the methods of proper handling the compound

microscope
Stephanie N. Sanonte
Oton NHS
 Ready to Launch!
Cells, tissues and microbiological life can be studied more thoroughly
with the aid of a microscope, an instrument that is used to view objects that
one cannot see using the naked eye. For example, even the sections of the
strand of a human hair can be seen very clearly through the lens of a micro-
scope. The science of studying objects using a microscope is called
Microscopy.

Aim at the Target!

After going through this module, you are expected to:
1. label the different parts of the microscope and explain their functions.;
2. explain the proper ways of handling and storage of the microscope; and
3. focus and view the specimen using the different objectives of a
compound microscope

Try This!
Can you still recall the different parts of the microscope? LABEL it.

Figure 1 . Compound Microscope

 Keep This in Mind!
Name ____________________________________________ Score ______________
Year & Section ___________________________________ Date _______________
Activity 1.1– Compound Microscope (Functions)
Direction: Match Column A (Parts of the compound microscope) with
Column B (Functions).
Column A Column B
1. Eyepiece A. The first step for focusing and
scanning of the specimen.
2. Body Tube B. The primary lenses of a compound
microscope which are used to magnify
images of the specimen. Usually, there
are 3 objective lenses of different powers in a
compound microscope. Their magnification
ranges from 4x to 100x and are labeled on
their sides.
3. Objectives C. Supports the body tube and connects it to
the base.
4. Revolving Nose Piece D. Secondary lenses to view an
object with a magnification of 10x in a micro
scope. Some microscopes have an eyepiece
with a pointer inside.
5. Stage E. Reflects light from a source up through
the stage and to the specimen
6. Arm F. Used for fine focusing, so as to get a
clearer view of the specimen
7. Coarse Adjustment Knob G. A turret where the objectives are
mounted. When switching from one objective
to another, simply rotate the revolving nose
piece.
 Keep This in Mind!
Column A Column B
8. Fine Adjustment Knob H. The bottom part which supports the
whole unit.
9. Mirror I. The platform where the slide to be
viewed is placed.
10. Base J. A rotating disc located below the stage.
It is used to control the amount of light
reaching the specimen.
K. Supports the eyepiece and the main
optical components of the microscope.

Activity 1.2- Compound Microscope (Proper Handling)

You CAN visit this website: https://courses.lumenlearning.com/ap1x94x1/chapter/the-parts-of-a-compound-microscope-
and-how-to-handle-them-correctly/ (optional)

Direction: Carry out the activities listed below and fill in the blanks as you
are instructed to do so.
1. Pick up your microscope and physically move it to a new location.
Bring it close enough that you can look into it comfortably from where you
are sitting. Arrange it so that the stage is facing you and the eyepiece is
rotated towards you. What part of the microscope did you grab in order to
pick it up and move it? _________________________________________________
2. Where are the locations of the two stage adjustment knobs on your
microscope?_____________________________________________________________
3. Where is the location of the coarse focus knob? ________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
4. Where is the location of the fine focus knob? ___________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
5. Is there a condenser adjustment knob? If so, where is it located? _______
_________________________________________________________________________
6. Find the diaphragm lever. Looking in the hole in the center of the stage,
what happens when you move the diaphragm lever clockwise? ____________
_________________________________________________________________________
7. Still looking down at the hole in the center of the stage, what happens
when you slide the diaphragm lever counter-clockwise? ___________________
_________________________________________________________________________
 Keep This in Mind!

Activity 2: Slide with an “e”

Procedures:
1. Cut the smallest “e” you can find from an old newspaper.
2. Place the letter “e” face up on the glass slide and add a drop of water
using the medicine dropper.
3. Slowly put a cover slip on a glass slide by positioning it at 45° angle
until it touches the drop of water. This is to avoid a bubble formation on the
glass slide.
4. Place the prepared slide on the microscope stage.
5. Look through the eyepiece and observe the specimen under the
scanner.
6. After getting a clear focus under the scanner, move the glass slide to
the right, then to the left, up, and down. Observe the direction of the letter
each time you move it.
7. Accomplish Table 1 and answer the questions that follow.
Table No. 1. Direction: Draw the letter “e” as seen under the Scanner,
LPO, and HPO.
 Keep This in Mind!

Direction: Answer each question in not more than three sentences.

1. What is the proper way of carrying the microscope?
2. What are the parts of a microscope? Describe the function of each.
3. What are the three objectives in a compound light microscope? How will
you differentiate each objective?
4. Why is it important to start adjusting the objective at its lowest and
moving upward when focusing?
5. In what direction did letter “e” move when you moved it to the right? to
the left? upward? downward?
6. In what direction did letter “e” move when you moved it downward?
7. What is the proper way of storing the microscope?

Abstraction and Generalization

You CAN watch this video through: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5yildOr4i4 (optional)

COMPONENTS OF A COMPOUND MICROSCOPE

1. Eyepiece or oculars are secondary lenses to view an object with a magnifi-

cation of 10x in a microscope. Some microscopes have an eyepiece with a point-
er inside.

2. Body tube supports the eyepiece and the main optical components of the
microscope.

3. Objectives are the primary lenses of a compound microscope which are

used to magnify images of the specimen. Usually, there are 3 objective lenses of
different powers in a compound microscope. Their magnification ranges from
4x to 100x and are labeled on their sides.

4. Revolving nosepiece is a turret where the objectives are mounted. When

switching from one objective to another, simply rotate the revolving nosepiece.

5. Stage is the platform where the slide to be viewed is placed.

6. Stage clip keeps the slide in place.

7. Arm supports the body tube and connects it to the base.

8. Coarse adjustment knob is the first step for focusing and scanning of the
specimen.

9. Fine adjustment knob is used for fine focusing, so as to get a clearer view
of the specimen.

10. Tilt joint allows the user to incline the upper portion of the microscope to
facilitate viewing of the specimen.

11. Mirror reflects light from a source up through the stage and to the
specimen.

12. Diaphragm is a rotating disc located below the stage. It is used to control
the amount of light reaching the specimen.

13. Base is the bottom part which supports the whole unit.

Figure 1-A. Compound Microscope

A. PROPER HANDLING OF A COMPOUND MICROSCOPE
1. Always lift the microscope with two hands: one hand holding the arm, the
other hand supporting the base.

Figure 1-B. Proper way of carrying the microscope

2. Avoid touching the lenses and mirror with bare hands to prevent smearing.

Figure 1-C. Proper way of adjusting the mirror

B. MAINTENANCE
1. REGULAR CLEANING OF THE UNIT
Clean the equipment regularly. Clean not only the optical components,
but also their external parts. These parts may be stained by grease, dust, and
dirt which enhance the growth of fungi. Materials such as clean rags or tissue
paper may be used in cleaning.
 Table 1-A. CLEANING OF A MICROSCOPE

With Box / Plastic

Cover / Storage
Component No Storage Facility
Cabinet

1. Eyepiece lenses Clean once a week Clean twice a week

2. Objective lenses Clean once a month Clean twice a month
3. Mirror Clean once a week Clean twice a week

4. External components Clean once a week Clean twice a week

2. CLEANING THE LENS

To clean the lenses, gently wipe the surfaces with tissue paper or cotton
buds. The lenses can be easily contaminated with eyelashes, fingerprints and
specimen, leaving marks on the lens.

C. STORAGE
Proper storage should be observed. Protect the microscope from dust
and fungi by (a) storing it inside a wooden box or (b) cover it with plastic. Bet-
ter yet, (c) place the apparatus inside a storage cabinet when not in use as
shown in Figure 1-D. Place silica gel in the wooden box or cabinet to absorb
moisture.

a b c
Figure 1- D. Illustrations on proper microscope storage
 Reflect
Think and Write!

In the picture below, the use of microscope is very beneficial in what

specific area? Make an essay about the message of the picture.

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

Reinforcement & Enrichment

Web Search!

1. In a short-sized bond paper with portrait orientation, search,

copy and paste the pictures and functions of the different kinds of micro-
scopes aside from compound light microscope.

2. This output will be submitted at the end of the week.

3. Happy working !
 Assess Your Learning
Read and understand each item care-
fully. Write the letter of the correct answer in
the space provided before the number.

_____1. Which part of the microscope supports

its entire weight?
A. 4 B. 5 C. 11 D. 13
_____2. Divine needs to raise the stage to
focus the specimen she is studying using the
low power objective. Which part should she
manipulate?
A. 1 B. 3 C. 4 D. 8
_____3. Which of the following should be used
in obtaining a sharp image in observing a
specimen a specimen under the High Power
objective?
A. 3 B. 4 C. 8 D. 9
_____4. You are to transfer the microscope to the next room. Which parts
should you be holding in carrying the microscope properly?
A. 7 and 13 B. 2 and 10 C. 2 and 7 D. 7 only
_____5. Which of the following shows letter “e” seen under the microscope?

A. B. C. D.

References & Photo Credits

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/ap1x94x1/chapter/the-parts-of-a-compound-
microscope-and-how-to-handle-them-correctly/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pujis3QsA_I

https://lrmds.deped.gov.ph/detail/7414

https://lrmds.deped.gov.ph/detail/7413

Science 7 Learners Material

 SELF-LEARNING PACKAGE IN

BIOTECHNOLOGY
History of Biotechnology
Learning Competency:
Describe historical events and significant
contributors in the field of biotechnology.
(B8FQ-1.1.3)