How the Microscope Redefined Life

Mr. Aldwin C. Espiritu

Learning Objectives
Explain the different parts and functions of the
microscope.
Explain the different types of microscopes according to
different characteristics.
Explain the proper use and handling of a compound
microscope.
What am I?
Here is a “dot”.
What do you think this “dot” is? .
It is too small to be seen.
We need something to make
it look bigger,
like a magnifying glass.
What am I?
The “dot” looked a little bigger.
We need something else that
will make it look even bigger,
.
like a microscope.
What am I?
The “dot” looked a little bigger.
We need something else that
will make it look even bigger,
.
like a microscope.
Microscope
Resolution is the measure of the clarity of an image.
But sometimes, objects are still too small to be seen.

Magnification is making small objects appear larger.

A microscope is a laboratory instrument used to examine

objects that are too small to be seen by the naked eye.
Microscope
Microscope have improved since its invention.
The most common types of microscope are:
the compound light microscope,

the transmission electron microscope,

and the scanning electron microscope.

Microscope
Microscope Comparison
Feature Compound Light Transmission Scanning Electron
Microscope Electron Micros. Microscope
Source of Visible light Electrons Electrons
illumination
Types of organisms Live or dead Dead organisms Dead organisms
that can be studied organisms only only
Type of visual Mainly 2-D; can be 2-D 3-D
image produced 3-D for live orgs.
Microscope Comparison
Feature Compound Light Transmission Scanning Electron
Microscope Electron Micros. Microscope
Maximum ∼2,000x; ∼5,000,000x ∼500,000x
Magnification 40x-400x for school
Pros Can view live High magnification Provides 3-D image
specimens Very good resolution Good for surfaces
Simple & Cheap (1 nm) Specimens do not
Good for organelles need to be stained
and prokaryotes or in thin sections
Microscope Comparison
Feature Compound Light Transmission Scanning Electron
Microscope Electron Micros. Microscope
Cons Poor resolution (200 Live specimens Resolution is not as
nm) cannot be used good as TEM (10 nm)
Specimens must be Needs very thin Internal structures
stained sections of the cannot be seen
Organelles cannot specimen Very Expensive
be seen Image produced is
not colored
Very expensive
Big Idea
The varying characteristics of different specimens to be
observed led to the invention of different types of
microscopes.
Checkpoint (p. 117)

What makes a compound light microscope different from

the two kinds of electron microscope?
The compound light microscope uses visible light, whereas
the electron microscope uses electrons as its light
source.
In addition, the compound light microscope can also be
used to study live organisms unlike the electron
microscope, which can only view dead organisms.
Checkpoint (p. 117)

If you are going to observe a live Paramecium, what type

of microscope should you use? Why?

It is best to use a light compound microscope because an

electron microscope can be used only if the specimen
to be observed is a dead organism.
Parts of a Compound Microscope
The parts can be grouped into three:
magnifying parts – eyepiece, revolving nosepiece,
objective lenses
illuminating part – diaphragm / iris, condenser, mirror
mechanical parts – body tube, arm, base, stage,
stage clips, coarse adjustment knob,
fine adjustment knob
Parts of a Compound Microscope
Eyepiece
where the observer looks through
to see the magnified image
it can magnify the sample up to
10x its actual size
also called the ocular lens
Parts of a Compound Microscope
Body Tube
supports the eyepiece and connects it
to the revolving nosepiece

Arm
the handle where the user can carry the
microscope from one place to another
Parts of a Compound Microscope
Coarse Adjustment Knob
moves the stage (or the body tube) up and
down to adjust the distance of the sample
used when observing under LPO

Fine Adjustment Knob

used to focus the sample even more
used when observing under HPO
Parts of a Compound Microscope
Revolving Nosepiece
holds the objective lenses
can be rotated to shift from the scanner
lens to the oil immersion objective lens
Parts of a Compound Microscope
Objective Lenses
responsible for magnifying the image of
the object several times larger than
its actual size
Scanner Lens – 4x power
Low Power Lens (LPO) – 10x power
High Power Lens (HPO) – 40x power
Parts of a Compound Microscope
Stage
small platform where the glass slide
is mounted

Stage Clips
pair of clips that secures the slide
on the stage
Parts of a Compound Microscope
Condenser
focuses the light on the specimen

Diaphragm / Iris
controls the amount of light that
will reach the sample
Parts of a Compound Microscope
Mirror
reflects light from the light source
to the sample

Base
the bottom of the microscope
that acts as a support
Big Idea
The magnifying, illuminating, and mechanical parts of a
compound microscope work together so that you can
view the sample you need to observe.
In identifying the total magnification of the sample, just
multiply the eyepiece magnification by the objective
lens magnification.
Ex: 10x times 40x = 400x total magnification
Checkpoint (p. 118)

The parts of the microscope can be grouped into three.

What are these groups? Briefly describe each.

The three groups are magnifying, illuminating, and

mechanical parts.
The magnifying parts are those parts of the microscope
that aid in enlarging the image of the object being
observed.
Checkpoint (p. 118)

The parts of the microscope can be grouped into three.

What are these groups? Briefly describe each.

Illuminating parts are responsible for gathering,

concentrating, and regulating the light that will go to
the specimen being viewed.
Mechanical parts are responsible for supporting and
adjusting the parts.
Checkpoint (p. 118)

What is the magnification of the image if you are viewing

a sample under HPO?

The magnification of an HPO lens is 40x.

If you factor the magnification of the eyepiece is which is

10x, the total magnification is 400 times the actual size
of the object.
Preparing the Slide
Specimens need to be mounted on a slide with a
cover slip before viewing with a microscope.
Slides and cover slips are
usually made of glass.
Slide are usually
1.0 – 1.2 mm thick.
Cover slips are more fragile;
0.17 – 0.25 mm thick.
Preparing the Slide
Preparing a wet mount
Place one drop of water
onto your slide.
Place your sample specimen
in the drop of water.
Hold the cover slip at a 45°
angle and carefully set it
on top of the specimen.
Using a Compound Microscope
Handle it with care.
Clean before and after use.
Know how each part works.
Using a Compound Microscope
Setting up the microscope
When carrying the microscope, one
hand should hold the arm, and the
other hand should support the base.
Clean your table before putting the
microscope. Put the microscope
away from the edge to keep it
from falling.
Using a Compound Microscope
Setting up the microscope
Adjust the mirror until a sufficient
amount of light is present.

If the microscope uses an electronic

source of light, plug the microscope
before turning on the switch.
Using a Compound Microscope
Initial Focusing of the Sample
Rotate the revolving nosepiece until
the desired objective lens is in
position. A “click” indicates that the
objective lens is correctly placed.
Start with the scanner or the
LPO lens first.
Using a Compound Microscope
Initial Focusing of the Sample
Put the glass slide with the sample
specimen on the stage. Use the stage
clips to secure the slides in place.
Turn the coarse adjustment knob until
there is enough distance between
the sample specimen and the
objective lens.
Using a Compound Microscope
Fine Focusing of the Sample
Regulate the amount of light entering
by opening the diaphragm.
Look through the eyepiece with both
eyes open.
If you need to focus the specimen even
more, use the fine adjustment knob.
Using a Compound Microscope
To increase the magnification,
just rotate the revolving nosepiece
to a higher magnification.
Don’t forget to focus the specimen
using the adjustment knobs.
Using a Compound Microscope
Cleaning the Microscope Before Storing
For prepared slides, just put it in the
proper storage after use.
If you are not using a prepared slide,
clean the specimen slide so that it
can still be used.
Using a Compound Microscope
Cleaning the Microscope Before Storing
Clean the objective lenses with the
approved solution and a lint-free
cloth. Do not use a tissue or your
fingers in cleaning the lenses.
Rotate the nosepiece to the lowest
power objective to avoid
accidental cracking of the lens.
Using a Compound Microscope
Proper Storage of the Microscope
Ensure that the mirror is secured in
place. For microscopes that have an
electronic source of light, turn of the
switch and unplug the microscope
after use.
Using a Compound Microscope
Proper Storage of the Microscope
Check if the removable parts of the
microscope are complete.
Put the cloth to cover the microscope
before it to prevent dust from
accumulating.
Checkpoint (p. 120)

Why should you make sure that the microscope is not

located close to the edge of the table?

The microscope, being close to the edge, may fall to the

ground if a person accidentally hits it with any part of
his or her body.
Checkpoint (p. 120)

Why is it not advisable to use a tissue, cloth or your

fingers to clean the lenses?

It is important to use an approved solution and lint-free

cloth in cleaning the objective lenses to avoid
unnecessary dust to come into the lenses.
Reflect Upon (p. 120)

Why do you need to open both eyes when looking through

the microscope?

It prevents a person from straining his or her eyes.

References
Cuevas, C.C., Eval, A.A., Ramos, S.K.A., & Maaghop, M.C.C. (2021).
Science for Innovative Minds 7. Diwa Learning Systems Inc.

https://www.wikihow.com/Prepare-Microscope-Slides