OPERATION OF THE MICROSCOPE and

THE CELLULAR COMPONENT

BIO 024 Experiment no. 1

Theory

The microscope is a mechanical device used in visualizing smaller objects and organisms which are
either alive or dead specimens. It is mostly a biological tool, but it is still being used in organic chemistry
and biochemistry to visualize the effects of chemical reagents in minute parts inside the cells which
cannot be viewed by the eye even with the use of magnifying glass.
The invention of the microscope opens a lot of opportunities in discovering and understanding many
functions and importance in biochemistry and other biochemical processes. During the early period of
1500 it was through the accidental discovery of a lens maker in the name of Anton Van Leeuwenhoek
who discovered the first minute microorganism. He was able to visualize this tiny organism with the
use of his special lenses. Around early 1600, Dutch scientist Zacharias Jannsen compounded the
microscope. From then onwards different types of microscopes have been invented and modified to
suit different purposes and functions. Compound microscope uses light and lenses to enlarge and
magnify an image under the stage. Other microscopes that are highly specific are the Phase-Contrast,
Dark field microscope, Bright field microscope, UVL microscope, Electron microscope which uses the
beam of electrons among others.

Human beings are one of the most diverse species on the planet that have an extensive supply of cells
in their body. In order to understand all chemical and biological processes that are taking place within
the cells one should fully comprehend and understand first the cellular component and its functions.

The three main parts of the microscope:

• The Mechanical Parts – the basic parts of the microscope that are used for support and
manipulations/operations of the device.

• The Illuminating Parts – the portion of the microscope that will supply light to the image fixed
on the slides that are placed on top of the stage.

• Magnifying Parts – the parts where the lenses are being used to visualize and enlarge the
specimens placed on the slides.

Objectives:

To be able to acquire properly typical human cheek cells.

To be able to acquire properly typical onion cells
To be able to visualize, identify and draw the parts of typical animal cells.

Materials:

Clean glass slides tissue paper Tap water

Applicator stick dropper Alcohol lamp
Drinking water microscope methylene blue (dye)
Procedure:

1. Clean a piece of glass slide and gently pass it over the flame of the alcohol lamp in order to
remove excess dirt or grease on the slide. The slide should always be held at the edges to
prevent contamination of the surface.

2. Place the glass slide on the table with the flamed portion side-up.

3. In acquiring the cell sample, get an applicator stick and gently rub the inside of the cheek wall.
Do not rub too hard so as not to induce bleeding or injury to the cheek wall.

4. Gargle with clean water after acquiring the cells taken from the cheek wall.

5. Apply evenly the tip of the applicator stick that has been rubbed on the surface of the cheek
wall on the clean glass slide. This is now your smear.

6. Lay the slide on the table and allow it to dry in air.

7. Fix the smear on the glass slide by allowing it to pass through over the flame 3 to 5 times.

8. This will cause the cell to adhere to the glass slide properly.

9. Apply the methylene blue over the prepared smear using the medicine dropper. Cover the
entire surface of the smear as much as possible. Wait for 2 minutes.

10. Rinse carefully the stained slide with tap water so as not to dislodge or remove the stained cell
sample from the surface.

11. Blot dry the stained smear with tissue paper.

12. Examine the smear under the microscope.

 CAGAYAN DE ORO COLLEGE
PHINMA Education Network

Biochemistry Laboratory Final Report

Name: ___________________ Rating: _____________

Course/Year/ Section: ____________ Date Performed: ____________
Group no. _______________ Date Submitted: ____________

Experiment no. _____

Title: ___________________________________________________________
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Objective: _______________________________________________________
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Materials: ______________ ________________

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Data Obtained:

Schematic Drawing of the Cells:

Prepared Slide Drawing Observation of the Cell from Observation of the Cell from
the Cheek the Onion
 Cells and Buildings: Drawing Analogies

Objective:
To understand the functions of various cell organelles by comparing them to parts of a building.

Introduction: Begin by reviewing the key organelles of a cell and their functions. Understand each
organelle's role within the cell.

Brainstorming: Think about the different parts of a building (e.g., the structure, the management, the
energy supply, the waste disposal system) and how they could correspond to the parts of a cell.

Drawing the Analogy:

On your drawing paper, sketch a building of your choice (e.g., a school, a hospital, an office building).
Label each part of the building with its corresponding cell organelle.

For example:
Cell Membrane: The security or entrance of the building (controls what goes in and out).
Nucleus: The main office or control center (directs all activities).

Write a brief description next to each labeled part explaining why you chose that part of the
building to represent the specific organelle.

Use the other page for your drawing.

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Post Laboratory Guide Questions:

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 Cells and Buildings: Drawing Analogies

Evaluation Criteria:

✓ Accuracy in matching cell organelles to building parts.

✓ Creativity and clarity in the drawing.
✓ Quality of written descriptions and explanations.
✓ Overall presentation and understanding of cell organelle functions.

Drawing: