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How To Use A Light Microscope

This document provides instructions on how to use a light microscope. It details the main parts of the microscope including the ocular lens, objective lenses, stage, mechanical stage knobs, coarse and fine focus knobs, condenser lens, diaphragm, and lamp. The objectives lenses magnify at 4X, 10X, and 40X and the total magnification is calculated by multiplying the ocular lens magnification by the objective lens magnification. Students are instructed to identify microscope parts, calculate total magnification using different objectives, and make observations of a specimen using all objectives.

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108 views

How To Use A Light Microscope

This document provides instructions on how to use a light microscope. It details the main parts of the microscope including the ocular lens, objective lenses, stage, mechanical stage knobs, coarse and fine focus knobs, condenser lens, diaphragm, and lamp. The objectives lenses magnify at 4X, 10X, and 40X and the total magnification is calculated by multiplying the ocular lens magnification by the objective lens magnification. Students are instructed to identify microscope parts, calculate total magnification using different objectives, and make observations of a specimen using all objectives.

Uploaded by

basondesa
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Practice 1.

How to use a light microscope

PRACTICE Nº . THE LIGHT MICROSCOPE


INTRODUCTION
In this laboratory you will learn how to use one of the most important tools in Biology,
the light microscope.
"Micro" refers to tiny, "scope" refers to view or look at. Microscopes are tools used to
enlarge images of small objects so as they can be studied. The compound light
microscope is an instrument containing two lenses, which magnifies, and a variety of
knobs to resolve (focus) the picture. In this lab, we will learn about the proper use and
handling of the microscope.

Instructional Objectives

 Demonstrate the proper procedures using the compound light microscope.


 Determine the total magnification of the microscope.

Procedure

I. Microscope Parts and Function

1. Get a microscope from the cabinet below your lab table.


2. Make sure to handle it by the arm and the base, and place it on the table, in front of
you.
3. Remove the cover and place it out of the way, and then plug in the microscope.
4. The ocular lens and stage should be facing you.
5. Read the description of each part of your microscope.

Ocular lens (eyepiece)


Your microscope will have either one ocular lens. This is the lens you will look
through when examining a specimen with the microscope. Take a look at the side of
your ocular lens and you will notice a label of “10X”. This indicates that the ocular
lens magnifies the image by a factor of 10.

Objective lenses
Notice the set of objective lenses on the revolving nosepiece. These lenses allow you
to change the degree of magnification. Your microscopes have three objective lenses.
The degree of magnification for each objective lens is indicated on its side.
 4X: this objective magnifies the image by a factor of 4. It is referred to as
the “scanning objective” since it is used to scan the slide to locate the
specimen before viewing it at higher magnification.
 10X: this objective magnifies the image by a factor of 10 and it is referred
to as the “low power” objective.
 40X: this objective magnifies the image by a factor of 40 and it is referred
to as the “high power” objective.
Practice 1. How to use a light microscope

For now, make sure that the low power objective is clicked into position above the
stage, and keep in mind that you will only be using the low power and high power
objectives. Also keep in mind that the total magnification of any image you see
through the ocular lens is the product of the objective and ocular lens magnification.

Stage and stage clip


The stage is the flat surface upon which you will place each slide you will examine.
Notice that there is a moveable stage clip that can be used to secure the slide on the
stage.

Mechanical stage knobs


To move the slide on the stage when it is secured in the stage clip, you will use the
mechanical stage knobs on the underside of the stage to move the slide
backward/forward and right/left. Adjust each knob to see how one knob controls
backward/forward movement and the other knob controls right/left movement.

Coarse focus and fine focus knobs


In order for a specimen on a slide to be in focus, the distance between the specimen and
the objective lens must be just right. The coarse focus knob, the larger of the two, will
move the stage or objective lens (depending on the microscope) up and down quickly
and quite visibly, altering the distance between them. It is very important that the
coarse focus knob is only used with the low power or scanning objective lenses,
otherwise the microscope or objective lenses could be damaged. Adjust the coarse focus
knob to observe how quickly the focal distance changes. In contrast, the fine focus
knob will move the stage or objective lens such a small amount that it is hardly
noticeable to the naked eye. This is the knob you will use to get the perfect focal
distance so the image will be crystal clear.

Condenser lens
Just underneath the stage is the condenser lens. This lens serves to capture and focus
light from the lamp below onto the slide mounted on the stage. On many microscopes
the condenser lens can be adjusted up or down with a knob beneath the stage.

Diaphragm
The diaphragm is located within the condenser and is one of the most important pieces
of the microscope, though it is often neglected by many students. The diaphragm allows
you to adjust the amount of light passing through the slide by adjusting the diaphragm
lever. Most of the time the diaphragm will be all the way open to allow the maximum
passage of light. However it is important to adjust the diaphragm at times to reduce the
amount of light passing through your specimen, and also to increase the contrast to
allow you to see the specimen more easily against the background. For now, open the
diaphragm all the way, and when using the microscope, do not forget to use the
diaphragm.

Lamp
The lamp emits light to illuminate the specimen so that you can actually see
something.
Base and arm
The base is the bottom of the microscope that sits on the table, and the arm is the
vertical framework ascending from the base along the back of the microscope. When
Practice 1. How to use a light microscope

handling the microscope always hold the arm while supporting the base with your other
hand.

ACTIVITIES

1.- Write the name of the different parts of the microscope.


Practice 1. How to use a light microscope

2.- Determine total magnification

a) Locate the numbers on the eyepiece and the low power objective and fill in the blanks below.

Eyepiece magnification Objective magnification Total Magnification


X =
______________ ______________ _____________

b)Do the same for the high power objective.

Eyepiece magnification Objective magnification Total Magnification


X =
______________ ______________ _____________

3.– Observe a microscopic preparation with all different objectives and make a picture
of it.

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