Name: ______________________
December ___, 2018
Objectives:
I can demonstrate the appropriate skills needed to observe cells at different magnifications.
Materials: compound light microscope, glass slide, coverslip, newspaper clipping of the letter “e”
Procedures:
Part A: Preparing the Compound Microscope
1. Make sure the low power objective is locked in.
2. Pick up the microscope holding the arm and base.
3. Carry the microscope to a lab station.
4. Plug in the microscope, switch on the light, then look through the eyepiece.
5. Adjust the light as needed by rotating the nosepiece
Part B: Focusing the letter “e”
1. Lower the stage using the coarse adjustment knob.
2. Pick up the slide of the letter “e”.
3. Place the slide of the letter “e” on the stage and stabilize it with the stage clips. Center
the “e” the best you can on the stage.
4. As you are looking into the eyepiece, SLOWLY turn the coarse adjustment to raise the
stage closer to the objective lens until the object (ie. “e”) comes into focus.
5. Once the object is seen, it may be necessary to adjust the amount of light. To increase
or decrease contrast, rotate the iris diaphragm slightly.
6. Turn the fine adjustment knob to sharpen focus if necessary.
7. In the space provided, draw an outline of the letter “e” as it appears through the
eyepiece.
Magnification: ______40X_______
Specimen: _________________
8. Gently move the slide to the right. What direction did the image move? __________
9. Gently move the slide towards you. What direction did the image move? __________
10. Now change the magnification by placing the 10X objective lens into position. Repeat
procedures 4-6. Draw the outline of the letter “e” as it appears through the eyepiece.
Magnification: ______100X_______
Specimen:
____________________
11. Lower the stage. Place the 40X objective lens into position. Repeat procedures 4-6.
Draw the letter “e” as it appears through the eyepiece.
Magnification: ______400X_______
Specimen:
____________________
12. Return the slide to the designated location.
Analysis: (complete, detailed sentences!)
1. Compare the “e” on the slide to its image: _____________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
2. State a rule that explains how the image moves in relation to the object movement: ______
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
3. Describe the relationship between magnification and field of view: ___________________
_____________________________________________________________________