LAB

An Introduction to Microscopes LESSON

OBJECTIVES
In this lesson, students will gain skills and knowledge regarding the use of a microscope.
SUBJECT CONTENT - BIOLOGY
Structure and function of living organisms:
Cells and organisation
BIOLOGY

• cells as the fundamental unit of living organisms, including how to observe, interpret and record cell structure using a light
microscope
KEYWORDS ANSWERS
organism, cell, microscope, observation, eyepiece, base, fine Parts of a Microscope
focus, coarse focus, stage, stage clips, diaphragm, objective eye piece (ocular lens)

lens, light source, nosepiece, slide, specimen

LESSON PLAN
Activities Resources (revolving) nosepiece

Activity 1: What Do We Use to See? objective lens

Use the following questions as discussion stage clips
points: stage
diaphragm coarse focus wheels
• What tool do you use to enlarge (on the underside of the stage)

printed text that is too small for your light source fine focus wheels
eyes? (Magnifying glass)
• What do people use to view
base
things that are microscopic? (Light
microscope) 5
Functions of a Microscope
Activity 2: Parts and Functions of a • Photocopies of the Holds microscopic slide in place on the
Objective lens  
Microscope Parts of a stage
Give out the Parts of a Microscope Microscope and Eyepiece lens A supportive structure that prevents the
Functions of  
worksheet and play the video. As (ocular lens) microscope from tipping over
students watch the video, ask them to a Microscope
Focusing wheels
complete the worksheet. worksheets Shines light up through the slide and is
(fine and coarse focus  
• ClickView video wheels)
directed to the mirror
Give out the Functions of a Microscope
Using a Microscope
worksheet and play the same video. As Collects light coming through the object
- Lab Skills Stage  
students watch the video, ask them to and magnifies it
https://clickv.
complete the worksheet.
ie/w/ks3/2 Stage clips  
Controls the amount of light that comes
Use the presentation to review answers to • Presentation: An through the aperture
the worksheets. Introduction to Contains the lens that allows you to view
Base  
Microscopes the specimen
Diaphragm   Holds objective lens in place
Moves the stage or upper part of the
microscope up and down to focus on
15 Light source   the specimen. There is a coarse focus
wheel (used first) and a fine focus wheel
Activity 3: Let’s Use the Microscope • Photocopies (for fine-tuning the focus)
Give out the Let’s Use the Microscope of the Let’s Use Nosepiece   Holds and supports microscope slides
worksheet. Play the same video from the Microscope Let’s Use the Microscope
before, asking students this time to take worksheet 1 Carry the microscope with two hands with one hand on the base.
note of the steps involved in using the • ClickView video
Always begin focusing with the lowest power objective lens (e.g. 4x) and the
microscope. Using a Microscope
2 stage in the lowest position so that the slide never touches the objective lens
- Lab Skills (this avoids cracking of the glass slides and coverslips, and damaging the lens).
Allow time for students to complete Part
• For each group
A of the worksheet individually. 3 Use the coarse focus wheel to move the stage up and focus the specimen.
of 3: Glass
Divide students into groups of 3 and hand microscope slides, 4
Use the fine focus wheel to adjust visibility of the specimen, or change to a
out the listed materials. Ask students to higher objective lens.
plastic dropper,
follow the instructions on Part B of the pond water, plastic 5 View the specimen under the microscope.
worksheet and see if they can find any coverslip, paper 6 Lower the stage and then remove the slide when finished.
form of life in the pond water. towels, microscope Return the lowest power objective lens into position over the stage, and
7 be sure the stage is at its lowest function when you have finished using the
microscope.
40 8 Turn off the light and wrap the cord correctly before putting it away.

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 Parts of a Microscope
Label the parts of the microscope with the words in the box below using information from the
video and the presentation.

BIOLOGY
eyepiece
base fine focus wheel stage stage clips
(ocular lens)

diaphragm objective lens coarse focus wheel light source (revolving) nosepiece

(on the underside of the stage)

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 Functions of a Microscope
Draw a line to match the features of a microscope to their function. Use the information in the video
and the presentation to assist you.
BIOLOGY

Objective lens   Holds microscopic slide in place on the stage

Eyepiece A supportive structure that prevents the microscope

 
(ocular lens) from tipping over

Focusing wheels
(fine and coarse focus   Sends light up to the slide and is directed to the mirror
wheels)

Collects light coming through the object and magnifies

Stage  
it

Controls the amount of light that comes through the

Stage clips  
aperture

Base   Contains the lens that allows you to view the specimen

Diaphragm   Holds objective lens in place

Moves the stage or upper part of the microscope up

and down to focus on the specimen. There is a coarse
Light source  
focus wheel (used first) and a fine focus wheel (for fine-
tuning the focus)

(Revolving) nosepiece   Holds and supports microscope slides

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Let’s Use the Microscope
Part A: Using the pictures as clues, create an instructional manual on how to use a microscope.
Some of the steps have been provided to assist you.

BIOLOGY
Step 1 Step 2 Step 3

4x
Objective Lenses

Step 4 Step 5 Step 6

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3 Use the coarse focus wheel to move the stage up and focus the specimen.

Step 4

Step 5 View the specimen under the microscope.

Step 6

Return the lowest power objective lens into position over the stage, and be sure the stage is at its lowest
Step 7
function when you have finished using the microscope.
Step 8 Turn off the light and wrap the cord correctly before putting it away.

Part B: Prepare a slide and observe it under the microscope. Answer the question in the box below.
Materials: Instructions:
• microscope 1. Place a drop of pond water onto the microscope slide using a pipette or
• glass microscope slide dropper.
• plastic dropper TIP: Too small a drop may result in the specimen in the water being
• pond water crushed. Use the paper towel to remove excess water from the slide if
• plastic coverslip necessary.
• paper towels 2. Place a coverslip on top of the specimen and observe it under the
microscope.
What did you see under the microscope?

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