Practicing How to Use a Microscope

Practicing How to Use a Microscope

Part 1

Goal: To Clearly View Specimens Using All 3 Objectives

Procedure:

1.  The materials person goes to the front counter to obtain a slide.

2.  Using the steps on “How to Properly Focus a Microscope”, view the specimen using all 3 objectives.

3.  Make sure all 3 people in the lab group do this.

4.  Help each other if you have trouble, then raise hand to ask teacher for assistance.

5.  Return slide to front counter and sit back down.

Part 2

Goal: To Calculate Total Magnification for Each Objective.

Procedure:

1.  Look at the eyepiece. Record the magnification for the eyepiece.

Eyepiece magnification: ______x

2.  Look at the low power objective. Record the magnification for that objective.

Low power objective magnification: ______x

3.  Use the formula below to calculate the total magnification for using the low power objective. Show your work.

Total magnification = (objective magnification) x (eyepiece magnification)

4.  Repeat steps 1-3 for medium and high power objectives. Show work below.

Part 3

Goal: Making a Wet Mount Slide

Procedure:

1.  Obtain a clean slide.

2.  Put the object in the middle of the slide.

3.  Place a drop of water over the object.

4.  Obtain a coverslip. Gently and at a 45 degree angle drop the coverslip onto the specimen. This method pushes air out from underneath the coverslip so that there will be no meddlesome air bubbles!

Part 4

Goal: To Determine Directions of Specimen Movement

Procedure:

1.  Use the same slide.

2.  Use low power objective to focus on the specimen.

3.  Move the slide to the right. Which direction does the specimen go?______

4.  Move the slide to the left. Which direction does the specimen go? ______

Part 5

Goal: To Practice Drawing Accurate Sketches of Specimens

Procedure:

1.  Use the same slide.

2.  Use low power objective to focus on the specimen. Draw and label the specimen in the circle below.

3.  Repeat step 2 with medium and high power objective.

4.  Make sure each person in the group does this.

Part 6

Goal: Practice and to Determine What is in the Puddle Water.

Procedure:

1.  Take a pipette and place a small amount of canal water onto a blank slide. Make a wet mount slide.

2.  Using all objectives find objects in the water. Draw diagrams of what you see. If you don’t see anything, use another drop of water.

3.  Each person needs to do this.