SB015 Pre-Lab Module
EXPERIMENT 1: BASIC TECHNIQUE IN MICROSCOPY
Course Learning Outcome:
Solve problems related to cells, biomolecules, inheritance, genetics and
biological development.
(C4, PLO 4, CTPS3, MQF LOD 6)
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this lesson, students should be able to:
i. Identify parts and functions of light compound
microscope ii. Describe characteristics of image observed by
microscope iii.Calculate actual magnification Student
Learning Time:
Face-to-face Non face-to-face
1 hour 1 hour
Direction: Read over the lab manual and then answer the following questions.
Check this out:
When you view objects with a microscope, the objects appear to be much larger than they
really are. You can estimate the size of magnified objects if you know the size of the field of
view. The size of the field depends on which objective lens you are using. When you switch
from a low-power to a high-power lens, you zoom in on an object
1000micrometers = 1 milimeter
Get Ready! You will use the data for the low-power
objective to calculate the field of view under medium
power and high power.
Predict and circle the
structure(s) in FIGURE 1
which can be observed
under microscope.
FIGURE 1
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SB015 Pre-Lab Module
Introduction
Give it a try!! Click the URL for virtual microscope practice. Do take note of the parts of the
microscope and its function.
https://virtuallabs.nmsu.edu/micro.php
1. What is light compound microscope?
A microscope with more than one lens and its own light source.
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To be used in the laboratory. Is a micrope using light sources and two light sources
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2. How do we hold the microscope properly?
Hold the microscope with both hands, that is hold the body arm of the
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microscope with one hand and the base of the microscope with the other.
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3. When do we use the oil immersion objective lens?
When the resolution of other objective lens is not sharp and clear enough.
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4. What is the highest magnification should you focus before using the oil immersion
objective lens?
400x magnification. Actual magnification=m. of objective lens x m. of ocular lens
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5. Why should microscope lenses not be touched?
Our body produces an oil that smudges the glass.
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SB015 Pre-Lab Module
6. While looking through the microscope-slowly move your slide to the left. Which
direction does your specimen appear to move?
It will appear to move right.
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7. Based on FIGURE 1, identify the components of the light compound microscope.
FIGURE 1
Labe
Name Function
l
Ocular Magnifies the real image and converts it to a virtual
A image to be viewed by user’s eyes.The lens
magnifies the image ten times.
Rotating nosepiece choose the objective lens you want and correctly
C place it over the specimen.
Objective lenses The lenses are rotated on the nosepiece to change
D magnification.
Body arm The metal part used to carry a microscope. Support
E the microscope.
Stage The horizontal surface on which a specimen is
G placed. For viewing.
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SB015 Pre-Lab Module
Condenser focus knob Used to focus the light.
I
Diaphragm Adjusts the amount of light on the slide.
J
Base The heavy cast metal part used as the base and for
K support.
Coarse focus adjustment Used to bring specimen into focus by moving the
L knob stage to the specimen.
Fine focus adjustment knob Used to bring specimen into focus while using high-
M power or oil immersion objective lenses. Sharpen the
focus.
Experiment
1. Draw the orientation of the letter ‘L’ observed using the light compound microscope
in FIGURE 2.
2. Based on FIGURE 3, state the relationship between magnification and the depth of
field.
The depth of field gets smaller as the magnification increases.
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SB015 Pre-Lab Module
3. Based on FIGURE 4, state the relationship between magnification and the field of
view.
The field of view gets smaller as the magnification increases.
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SB015 Pre-Lab Module
AcA
4. Actual magnification = Magnification power of objective lens x
Magnification power of ocular lens
The above formula is used to determine the actual magnification of a specimen. You
are given a specimen of Escherichia coli to observe its shape and colour. Calculate
the actual magnification to observe the specimen? (* Assume the magnification of the
ocular lens is 10x)
Actual magnification
= 40x x 10x
=400x
