BIO 2247 MICROBIOLOGY LAB

ATENEO DE DAVAO UNIVERSITY

(No part of this material may be copied, reproduced, or disseminated in any form or by any means without
written permission from the Instructor and the Biology Department, Ateneo de Davao University)

ACTIVITY 1
THE COMPOUND MICROSCOPE

INTRODUCTION:

Microbiologists use a good compound microscope to study living organisms that are too small to see with
the naked eye. Although there are many types and variations, compound microscopes all consist of a two-
lens system, a variable but controllable light source, and mechanical adjustable parts for determining the
focal length between the lenses and specimen.

Microscopes are designated as either light microscopes or electron microscopes. The former uses visible
light or ultraviolet rays to illuminate specimens. They include brightfield, darkfield, phase-contrast, and
fluorescent instruments. Electron microscopes use electron beams (instead of light rays) and magnets
(instead of lenses) to observe submicroscopic particles.

In this course, the compound microscope will be used in many exercises so the student can use it
proficiently and care for it properly. Constant and proper use of the microscope will increase one’s
proficiency.

I. OBJECTIVES: Present at least two objectives for this activity.

II. MATERIALS:
Microscope prepared slide specimens Glass slides Cover slips
Letter “e” cutouts immersion oil lens paper colored pencils lens paper

III. PROCEDURE:

A. Identifying the Parts and Functions

1. Draw and label the parts of the microscope.
2. List down the parts of the microscope and provide its functions.

B. Use and Care of the Microscope

1. When transporting the microscope, hold the arm of the microscope with one hand while the other hand supports
the base of the microscope.
2. Place the microscope at least 6 inches away from the edge of the laboratory table.
3. Before using the microscope, first clean the eyepiece, objectives, condenser, and mirror with a lint-free tissue
(Kimwipes).
4. Place the scanner objective (SPO) on the center of the stage by moving the revolving nosepiece until you hear a
soft click.
5. Lower the body tube by turning the coarse adjustment knob until the scanner objective lens reaches the downward
stop.
6. Place the slide with the specimen on the stage and secure it with the stage clips.
7. Never tilt the microscope when viewing the specimens or using immersion oil and wet mount preparations.
8. Looking through the eyepiece, raise the coarse adjustment knob until the image appears. The SPO is generally
used for initial focusing and viewing.
9. Adjust the fine adjustment knob to sharpen the image in the center of the field of vision.
10. When a feature on the specimen is to be examined at a higher magnification, move the slide to center the feature
in the field of vision. Shift the higher power objectives, low power objective (LPO), and high power objective
(HPO) into place and adjust with the fine adjustment knob.
11. Keep your eye at a certain distance from the eyepiece. Be relaxed when looking into the eyepiece, and keep
both eyes open.

C. Use of Oil Immersion Objective (OIO)

1. Observe a prepared slide specimen of a bacterium. Focus on using the various objectives – scanner, low power,
and high power.
2. After observing in HPO, slightly rotate the revolving nosepiece and place a drop of immersion oil on the
coverslip. Then move the OIO in place and slowly focus with only the fine adjustment knob. Increase the
illumination if necessary.
3. Make drawings of the observed specimens.
4. After using the OIO, clean the lens with lint-free tissue wet with xylene and then blot dry with fresh tissue.
5. Switch off the microscope when no longer in use. Before returning the microscope, see to it that the SPO is in
place and the body tube fully raised.

D. Manipulating the Microscope

Place a small letter “e” cutout at the center of a clean glass slide and cover it with a cover slip. Place this slide
upon the stage of the microscope and make your observations. Observe under scanner, LPO and HPO.

Sources:

Cabajes, A.T.S., 2015. BIO 322 Microbiology Laboratory Manual. Biology Department. Ateneo de Davao University.

Cappuccino, J.G. and C.T. Walsh. 2019. Microbiology: A Laboratory Manual. 12th ed. Pearson Education, Inc. New York, USA.
561 pp.

Fernandez, W.L., I.F. Dalmacio, A.K. Raymundo, A.F. Zamora B.C. Mendoza. 2008. Laboratory Manual in General
Microbiology. 3rd ed. University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). Microbiology Laboratory, IBS, CAS, UPLB. 119 pp.
 ANSWER SHEET
ACTIVITY 1
THE COMPOUND MICROSCOPE (40 pts)
(No part of this material may be copied, reproduced, or disseminated in any form or by any means without
written permission from the Instructor and the Biology Department, Ateneo de Davao University)

NAME: ___________________________________ Date Performed: ___________________

Group No. ________________________________ Date Submitted: ___________________

A. Draw and label the parts of the compound microscope. (5 pts)

B. Complete the table of the parts and functions of the microscope. (15 pts)

Part Function
Eyepiece

Nosepiece

Scanner Objective

Low power objective

 High power objective

Oil immersion objective

Body tube

Arm

Stage clips

Mechanical stage

Condenser

Iris Diaphragm

Coarse Adjustment knob

Fine adjustment knob

Illuminator

Base

C. Characteristics of the Image and Field (letter “e” cutouts) (5 pts)

a. Sketch the specimen as it appears in the microscope

Scanner Power Low Power High Power

(______ x) (_______x) (_______x)
 b. Is the printing inverted, or is it upright? ___________________________________
c. Is the printing reversed, or is it in the correct order? _________________________
d. While observing the specimen on the microscope, move the slide slightly to your
right. Which way does the printing move? ________________________________

D. Oil Immersion Objective Observation (5 pts)

Drawing and description of the slide specimens
Specimen: _____________________ Specimen: ___________________
Description: Description:

E. Summary of Relative Magnification Characteristics (5 pts)

Complete the following table with the information required in terms of magnification.

Scanner Low power High power Oil Immersion

Magnification of
Ocular lens
Magnification of
Objective lens
Total magnification
Total Magnification = Eyepiece x Objective
e.g. = ( 10x) (40x)
= (400x)

F. Guide Questions (5 pts)

1. How does the compound microscope magnify an object? ________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________
2. Explain why an inverted image is seen under a compound microscope.______________________
________________________________________________________________________________
3. Why is it advisable to start first with the low-power lens when viewing a slide? ________________
________________________________________________________________________________
4. What is the function of the oil when using the oil immersion objective? Explain. _______________
________________________________________________________________________________
5. Differentiate magnification from resolution. ___________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

References: _________________________