Name: Christan Jhay Y.

Pawang

Section: FE-2203

Experiment No 1

Virtual Microscope

INTRODUCTION

It was in the early 1590’s when the first compound microscope was invented, and since
then, countless discoveries were created by various scientists, paving the road to the modern
science. While it is unknown who was the first one to create a microscope, it is clear that this
equipment became the ticket to the microscopic world enabling us to see things not visible to
the naked eye (The Microscope, 2019). Ever since its invention, the microscope has undergone
many improvements, most notably the improvement made by Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, a
Dutch scientist and universally known as the “Father of Microbiology”.

One of the achievements brought by the invention of microscope is the discovery of the
basic unit of life, “cells”, by Robert Hooke, which led to the advances in medical treatment and
technology. Nowadays, microscope is being applied to numerous fields of science to explore
more of the hidden microscopic world, hoping to learn more of the nature and apply the
knowledge obtained to the macroscopic world, leading the world to a better future.

OBJECTIVE

1. To be able to understand the importance of microscope

2. To be able to observe microorganisms under microscope

PROCEDURE

1. Provided is the link for the virtual laboratory:

http://www.ncbionetwork.org/iet/microscope/

2. Click the link provided.

3. Click Ëxplore”
4. See slide catalog beside the microscope.You may now see (a) Sample slide
(b)Plant Slide (c) Animal Slide (d) Bacteria Slides (e) Human
5. Practice using the microscope by clicking (a). Use different lenses: 4x,10x, 40x
and 100x. Adjust “coarse focus”, fine focus and light adjust to be able to see the
sample clearly. Click the “Remove slide” in order to explore the different samples
in the slide catalog
 6. Explore all of the slides. Pick one sample for (b) and (d) and two samples from
(c) and (e). Attached a picture of the samples you have chosen in the table
below.

DATA and INTERPRETATION

Sample Sample Slide

Plant Slide (Plant Cell)

Animal Slide (Spider Leg)

Animal Slide (Whitefish Telophase

Cytokinesis)
 Bacteria Slide (Endospore Stain)

Human (Blood)

Human (Areolar Tissue)

Through the use of the virtual microscope, the student was able to perceive the structure
and certain processes of various microorganisms in varying magnifier ranging from 4x to 100x
lenses. For instance, Mitosis, a vital process where one single parent cell divides into two
daughter cells to replace worn out ones, can be observed and was proven in the Whitefish
Telophase Cytokinesis slide. Additionally, with the help of the microscope, the color of the plant
cell and why it is color green are found to be caused by the chloroplasts (site of photosynthesis
– a process where the energy from the sun is converted into food for growth) containing
chlorophyll which is a naturally green pigment. Such data that can be provided by a microscope
is important in helping scientists discover more about the nature of microorganisms therefore
enabling them to explain certain phenomena that exists in our natural world.
QUESTIONS

1. Will you be able to see the microorganism using your naked eye?

The answer is definitely no, I am not able to see the microorganism using my naked eye.
I may be able to see them in a very large number but I still won’t be able to perceive the
structure of the microorganisms and the certain processes occurring within them.

2. What are the different parts of the microscope. Define.

In the virtual microscope lab that was provided, there are sixteen different parts of the
microscope: Eyepiece lens, body, arm, nosepiece, objective lens, diaphragm, stage, stage
adjustment knob, coarse and fine focus, base, on/off switch, Kimwipes, lens paper, slide, and
the immersion oil.

 Eyeplece Lens - Typically 10X, but also come in 5X, 15x and 20x varieties. This is the
part of the microscope where you actually look into to observe the sample. The intercular
distance is adjustable enabling the user to open both of their eyes when using the
microscope.
 Body - refers to the main section of the microscope without the base/stand and any of
the illuminators. Generally include the eyepiece and objective lenses but not the
focusing block.
 Arm - the section between the tube and the base, and when the microscope is being
carried, this is the part where you hold the microscope using one of your hands while the
other one is underneath the base supporting the microscope.
 Nosepiece - also known as the revolving nosepiece or turret, is the structure holding the
objective lenses and what allows the user to change objective lenses by rotating it.
 Objective Lens - they differ in the eyepiece lens in a way that they are the lens closer to
the sample being observed. These lenses can have different magnification including
scanning lens (4x), low-power lens (10x), mid-power lens (40x), and high-power lens
(100x).
 Diaphragm - Used to adjust the amount of light passing through the stage opening.
Illuminating the sample properly can also help to increase the contrast and rwsolution
seen on the lens.
 Stage - The surface the holds the sample being observed.
 Stage Adjustment Knob - used to adjust the slide position which can go forward,
backward, and sideways.
 Coarse Focus - The larger of the two adjustment knobs located on the right side of the
microscope and is used to move the objective lenses closer to, or farther away from the
sample in large steps.
 Fine Focus - Smaller of the two adjustment knobs and performs the same function as
the coarse focus knob but moves the objective lenses in small scales. Used to fine-tune
the focus on various parts of the specimen
 Base - Bottom support structure of the microscope.
  On/off switch - controls the power of the microscope.
 Kimwipes - a brand of specialty paper-based cleaning wipes used to clean laboratory
equipment and sensitive electronic components. This should never be used when
cleaning microscopes as they can damage the lenses.
 Slide - a rectangular plate (either made of plastic or glass) that may contain depression
or well (for liquid samples), where the sample is placed before being observed under the
lenses of the microscope.
 Lens Paper - a paper used to clean the lenses and other glass components of the
microscope without causing a scratch or any damage to the surface that can affect the
function of the microscope. It can also be used not only to the glass components of the
microscope but also other sensitive laboratory equipment.
 Immersion Oil - An oil used to concentrate the path of light between the slide and the
lens to further enhance the resolution of the image.

3. What are the different applications where we can use microscope?

Science is finding answers to certain questions raised when particular observations are
made. It is the art of seeking the explanations about phenomena people cannot usually
understand and using it to create something new. Through the invention of the microscope,
countless other discoveries were made under the lenses that are still being used today. Putting
it simply, one, and probably the most often application of the microscope is for scientific
research.

In the field of microbiology, microscope is used to observe differing microorganisms and

examine their structure and behavior in certain environmental conditions. With this, scientists
can determine their use in a way many people can benefit from. For instance, in the field of
medicine, where most of the advancement we had today was the results, data collected with the
use of the microscope. Medicines are continuously being improved because scientists are able
to perceive and understand how a certain compound can be used against a certain pathogen,
which is also being studied through the use of the wonderful microscope. Not only can it be
used for scientific research, but also in forensic examinations and help the authorities
investigate certain things that cannot be seen only with the naked eye. Botanists are able to
examine the structure of the plants more closely, and veterinarians were able to diagnose an
animal also through the application of the microscope in their respective fields.

CONCLUSION and RECOMMENDATION

Microscope is the ticket, the pass, in order for people to enter the microscopic world that
is hidden from their eyes. Through microscope, people, especially the scientists can examine
various specimens and see their molecular or crystalline structure, aiding them in their scientific
research, which can then benefit most of the people in the society. Furthermore, ever since its
invention, a plethora of knowledge was obtained and was able to advance science far away
from its primitive state. Discovering microorganisms, the bacteria, the pathogens, the discovery
of cells, enabling doctors to have the ability to examine the tissue of their patients and learn
exactly their current state, are only some of the countless applications of microscope.
 Knowing exactly the parts of the microscope and being able to use it as an engineering
student is a must in order to prevent destroying such valuable equipment when employing the
microscope for my scientific research. In this field where I will deal with various materials in the
production of food for the masses, perceiving how each ingredient looks like under the
microscope and ensuring its quality and safety for human consumption will be vital, showing the
importance of using the microscope.