Using Microscopes
SUCCESS CRITERIA
• Identify parts of the microscope
• Demonstrate how to prepare a ‘plant
cells’ slide
• Demonstrate how to prepare an
‘animal cell’ slide
• Demonstrate how to focus a
microscope
• Accurately draw and label what you
observe in the correct proportion to
field of view.
Light Microscope
Do you know some of these parts?
Label as many parts as you can using the terms provided.
revolving nosepiece A
arm B
diaphragm
ocular lens / eyepiece F
condenser G C
objective lenses
stage clips
K
body tube J H
base L I
light source / illuminator M
coarse adjustment knob D
stage E
fine adjustment knob
Light Microscope
Did your labels
look something A ocular lens/eyepiece
like this? B body tube
F revolving/rotating nosepiece
objective lenses G C arm
stage clips K
stage J
H coarse adjustment knob
condenser L I fine adjustment knob
diaphragm M
light source/ E D base
illuminator
Want to know more? Parts of The Microscope
Using Microscopes - Safety
Google must be worn at all times.
Gloves and lab coats must be worn - Iodine solution stains
Hair must be tied back.
Discard skin cell slides in
Students must be standing at all times. disinfectant.
Using Microscopes - Apparatus
1 tray between 2
Gloves
students
Sticky tape
Microscope slide (x2)
Coverslip (x2)
Mounting needle
Methylene Blue
Iodine Solution
Paper towel
Onion sample
Class set of microscopes.
Method - Using Microscopes
Some additional tips for adjusting the settings of the microscope:
● Start with the lowest magnification and gradually increase it to
prevent the image from becoming blurry.
● Use the fine adjustment knob to fine-tune the focus and avoid
moving the slide.
● Adjust the light intensity of the microscope to obtain the best
contrast for the cells.
● Clean the microscope lens and the slide before and after use
to avoid contamination and ensure a clear image.
Method - Using Microscopes
For Animal Cells Using a Skin Cell Sample:
1. Take an inch of clear adhesive tape and fold back both ends onto themselves to
create handles. Press it onto the back of your hand with your fingertip (to avoid
getting a fingerprint on the tape).
2. Pull the tape off your hand and mount it on the microscope slide, sticky side down.
Tweezers are useful for doing this to avoid getting your fingerprint on the tape.
3. Put on a pair of chemical-resistant gloves.
4. Lift one corner of the sticky tape and place one drop of methylene blue onto the
microscope slide and just under the tape. The liquid will move across the slide
under the tape.
5. Remove tape and place cover slip on top using mounting needle.
6. Make sure the lowest power lens (the shortest lens) is in place over the stage.
Place the slide onto the stage of the microscope.
7. Look through the eyepiece and turn the coarse focus knob (the largest knob) until
an image comes into focus. It should look like scattered blobs. Move the slide
around until a nice cluster of blobs moves into the center of your image.
8. Use the fine focus knob (the smallest knob) to make the image as focused as
possible.
Accurately draw and label what you observe in the correct
proportion to field of view
Discard skin cell slides in disinfectant.
Method - Using Microscopes
For Plant Cells Using an Onion:
1. Cut a thin slice of an onion and place it on a clean microscope
slide.
2. Add a drop of iodine solution to the onion slice to stain the cells
and make them more visible under the microscope.
3. Place a coverslip over the onion slice (using a mounting needle)
and gently press it down to flatten the tissue and remove any air
bubbles.
4. Place the slide on the stage of the microscope and adjust the
focus by turning the coarse adjustment knob until the image
becomes clearer. Then, use the fine adjustment knob to fine-tune
the focus.
Accurately draw and label what you observe in the correct
proportion to field of view
Missed class or need a refresher?
REVISIT SUCCESS CRITERIA
• Identify parts of the microscope
• Demonstrate how to prepare a ‘plant
cells’ slide
• Demonstrate how to prepare an
‘animal cell’ slide
• Demonstrate how to focus a
microscope
• Accurately draw and label what you
observe in the correct proportion to
field of view.
