Microscopes and Cell Microscopy
Name:
by C. Kohn
Hour
Date Assignment is due: end of class
Day of Week
Date:
Why late?
Date
Score: +
✓ -
If your project was late, describe why
The light on the base
provides adequate
light to visualize your
specimen.
This is a brightfield
microscope, meaning
your specimen will
appear as a dark
object in a bright field.
The diaphragm
attached to the bottom
of the stage allows you
to control the amount
of light that will pass
through the slide.
Source:water.me.vccs.edu/courses/env108/lab1.html
Plant Cell Microscopy Procedure:
Objective: Prepare a slide of plant cells and become familiar with the use of the microscopes.
1. Prepare a slide and place it on the stage of the microscope. To prepare a slide:
a. Take a glass microscope slide and make sure it is clean. If there is any debris or
smudges, use soap and water to clean and wipe dry with a clean paper towel (be
careful not to scratch the slide).
b. Acquire a plastic coverslip; keep in a safe place until you are ready to use it.
c. For the start of our lab, we will use a plant leaf or lettuce to acquire the cells that we will
observe under the microscope. Obtain a sample of the plant material provided by your
instructor.
d. Cut the leaf into a small piece (smaller than a postage stamp) and slice the sample into
the smallest slivers that you can create and handle. Place one of the slivers on the
glass slide and dice the leaf smaller using a knife, scissors blade, or clean blunt object
(such as a glass stirring rod or pestle).
e. Add a drop of water to your glass slide and place a cover slip over the water and leaf
cells.
2. Using the 4x objective lens bring the specimen into focus using the coarse and fine adjustment
knob. Draw what you see (in pencil) below in the appropriate circle.
3. Switch to the 10x objective lens and bring the specimen back into focus using the coarse and
fine adjustment knobs. Draw what you see (in pencil) below in the appropriate circle.
4. Finally, switch to the high-power 40x objective lens and bring specimen into focus using ONLY
the fine adjustment knob. Draw what you see (in pencil) below in the appropriate circle.
5. Record observations on the opposite side.
Observations: Record your observations and make your drawings on this page.
4X
10X
40X
Written observations: describe what you saw below. Be sure to comment how the image changes as you progress from
4x to 10x to 40x magnification.
Animal Cell Microscopy Procedure:
Objective: Prepare a slide of plant cells and become familiar with the use of the microscopes.
1. Prepare a slide and place it on the stage of the microscope. To prepare a slide:
a. Take a glass microscope slide and make sure it is clean. If there is any debris or
smudges, use soap and water to clean and wipe dry with a clean paper towel (be
careful not to scratch the slide).
b. Acquire a plastic coverslip; keep in a safe place until you are ready to use it.
c. Use a cotton swab or toothpick and gently scrape the inside of your cheek.
d. Wipe the coated end of the swab or toothpick onto the center of the glass slide.
e. Blow on the glass slide to dry your sample. (Alternatively, if you instructor has provided
it, you may use a Bunsen burner to heat-dry your sample – follow your instructors
instructions carefully as this can easily result in injury if done incorrectly).
f. Add a drop of dye (such as methylene blue) to your sample on your class slide and
cover with a coverslip. Blot your slide dry if any of the dye goes beyond the coverslip
(Be careful! This will stain your clothes. You may want to use gloves to protect your
hands).
2. MAKE SURE YOUR MICROCOPE IS IN THE 4X (RED) SETTING BEFORE BEGINNING!
Using the 4x objective lens bring the specimen into focus using the coarse and fine adjustment
knob. Draw what you see (in pencil) below in the appropriate circle.
3. Switch to the 10x objective lens and bring the specimen back into focus using the coarse and
fine adjustment knob. Draw what you see (in pencil) below in the appropriate circle.
4. Finally, switch to the high-power 40x objective lens and bring specimen into focus using ONLY
the fine adjustment knob. Draw what you see (in pencil) below in the appropriate circle.
5. Record observations on the opposite side.
Observations: Record your observations and make your drawings on this page.
4X
10X
40X
Written observations: describe what you saw below. Give 5 examples of how this cell was different from the plant cell.
1
2
3
4
5