Microscope Lab
Use of the light microscope
Name
Hour
Goals:
1. Practice proper handling of the light microscope.
2. Learn the names and functions of the light microscope parts.
3. Acquire skill in using the light microscope by carefully following
all directions.
4. Prepare a wet mount.
5. Locate objects under medium and high power magnification.
Background:
A microscope allows scientists to investigate worlds that are
otherwise too small to be seen. A light microscope magnifies objects
up to 400 times their natural size. Two types of slides are used with
the microscope: prepared slides and temporary wet mounts. Prepared
slides are permanent; these slides are usually purchased from a
biological company. Wet mount slides are ones you make yourself;
these slides are not permanent.
Materials:
Light microscope Strand of hair
Microscope slide Cover slip
Tweezers Dropper
Water
Procedures:
Part A: Learning Microscope Parts & Functions
-A microscope is carried with two hands; carry the microscope
straight up. Do not tilt or tip the microscope as you carry it with both
hands close to the body.
Look at the figures. Use the diagram that looks most like your
microscope to locate microscope parts.
Questions:
1. Which does your microscope have, a lamp or a mirror?
2. What type of diaphragm does your microscope have?
-A diaphragm controls amount of light entering the microscope.
Turning the diaphragm adjusts the amount of light passing through
the microscope.
-Locate the revolving nosepiece, high power objective, and medium
power objective on your microscope
-The medium power objective is identified by a “10x” marking or by its
medium length. The high power objective is identified by a “40x” or by
its being the longest in length. The objectives can be changed by
turning the nosepiece.
-Locate the diaphragm, eyepiece, coarse wheel adjustment, fine wheel
adjustment, stage, and stage opening on your microscope.
Part B: Using the Microscope
1.Turn on the lamp
2.Turn and click the medium power objective so that it is
directly over the stage opening. An objective is in proper viewing
position when directly over the stage opening. Most microscopes will
click when the objective is in proper viewing position.
3.Look through the eyepiece of the microscope. A circle of
bright light should now be visible. Keep both eyes open. Keeping both
eyes open will reduce eyestrain.
4. Adjust the diaphragm to make the circle of light as bright as
possible.
5. Look to the side of the microscope. Slowly turn the coarse
wheel adjustment back and forth. DO NOT force the wheel once it
stops. When the wheel stops, turn it in the opposite direction. Note
the movement of the medium power objective in relation to the stage.
Questions:
1. In which direction does the objective move as you turn the coarse
wheel adjustment toward you?
2. In which direction does the objective move as you turn the coarse
wheel adjustment away from you?
*The eyepiece contains a glass lens, which magnifies 10x (10 times).
A low power objective contains a lens that magnifies 4x. Therefore,
the total magnification of an object when viewed under low power is
40x. The total magnification is calculated by multiplying the eyepiece
magnification by the objective magnification.
Questions:
1.What is the total magnification of your microscope under medium
power?
2. What is the total magnification of your microscope under high
power?
Part C: Preparation of a Temporary Wet Mount
A temporary wet mount consists of some object placed in a drop of
water on a slide with a cover slip over the object. Use the following
steps in preparing your wet mount.
Step1: Use a clean slide. Add a small drop of water to the slide.
Step 2: Place a single piece of hair in the water drop. The hair should
be small and should not be longer than the length of the cover slip. No
object should be larger than the cover slip, nor should it be thick.
Step 3: Use tweezers to position a cover slip as demonstrated in class.
Use of tweezers avoids getting fingerprints on the cover slip.
Step 4: Lower the edge of the cover slip down slowly over the water
drop and object. This procedure will prevent trapping air under the
cover slip.
Have your wet mount slide approved by the instructor.
Part D: Locating an Object under the Microscope
1. Click the medium power objective into viewing position. Note:
ALWAYS LOCATE AN OBJECT FIRST WITH MEDIUM POWER
MAGNIFICATION EVEN IF A HIGHER MAGNIFICATION IS
DESIRED.
2. Adjust the diaphragm for the best light.
3. Place the wet mount of the hair on the stage of your microscope.
Position the slide on the stage so the hair is directly over the
center of the stage opening. Secure the slide in place with the
clips.
4. Look to the side of your microscope. Slowly lower the medium
power objective by turning the coarse wheel adjustment until
the objective almost touches the glass slide. NEVER LOWER
THE OBJECTIVE TOWARD THE STAGE WHILE LOOKING
THROUGH THE EYEPIECE.
5. While looking through the eyepiece, slowly turn the coarse
wheel adjustment so that the objective rises or moves away from
the stage. The hair should become visible.
6. Diagram the hair under medium power.
7. Switch the medium power objective to the high power objective.
Use the FINE WHEEL ADJUSTMENT to bring into focus.
NEVER USE THE COARSE WHEEL ADJUSTMENT WHILE
UNDER THE HIGH POWER OBJECTIVE.
8. Diagram the hair under high power.
9. Repeat steps 1-8, only this time create a wet mount slide of a
lowercase letter e.
Hair under medium power Hair under high power
Letter e under medium power Letter e under
high power
Analysis
Write the proper term next to the definition.
Word list:
Coarse wheel adjustment Medium Power Objective
Diaphragm Mirror or Lamp
Eyepiece Revolving Nosepiece
Fine wheel adjustment Stage
High Power Objective Stage Clips
Low Power Objective Stage opening
1. Allows light to pass through the stage.
2. Brings objects into rapid but coarse focus.
3. Regulates amount of light entering microscope.
4. Is attached to a revolving nosepiece and contains a
lens capable of 10x magnification.
5. Holds glass slide and specimen in place.
6. Supports slide
7. Directs light into the microscope.
8. Turns the change from one power to another.
9. Contains a lens capable of 10x magnification and
cannot be rotated.
10. Is attached to a revolving nosepiece and contains a
lens capable of 4x magnification.
11. Is attached to a revolving nosepiece and contains a
lens capable of 40x magnification.
12. Brings objects slowly into fine focus.
True or False
If false, write in the proper words so the statement will be true.
13. Total magnification of a microscope is determined by adding the
eyepiece lens magnification to the objective lens magnification.
14. An object should always be located first with low power.
15. A light microscope should be carried in an upright position with
two hands.
16. The fine wheel adjustment must be used to sharpen focus when
using high power magnification.
17. Always look to the side of a light microscope when lowering the
objective.
18. Paper towels or newspaper may be used to clean the lens of a
microscope.
19. The eyepiece of a microscope is marked 10x. The high power
objective is marked 50x. The total magnification of this microscope is
500x.
