Complete the following pre-lab work in your journal. You will do the rest of the lab on separate paper.
1.
Look at the ocular lens (eye piece) and record the magnification
2.
Look at the low power objective lens (red) and record the magnification
X ____
DIN _____
3.
Look at the medium power objective lens (yellow) and record the magnification DIN _____
4.
Look at the high power objective lens (blue) and record the magnification DIN _____
5.
Now, you will calculate the total magnification of the microscope at each power level: low, medium, and high. To do this, multiply the number on the ocular lens (eye piece) by the objective lens. Please do the calculations below in your journal.
For example, if the number on the ocular lens (eye piece) was 10 and the number on the low power lens was 15, then total magnification would be 10 x 15 = 150 times larger.
CALCULATIONS:
Total magnification (low power, red): ______ x ______ = ________
Total magnification (medium power, yellow): ______ x ______ = ________
Total magnification (high power, blue): ______ x ______ = ________

In this two-day lab experience you create a wet-mount slide of onion cells (plant) and cheek cells
(animals). You will use the microscope to observe organelles and differences between plant and animal cells.
Please complete the following tasks in your journal. You will need this information to prepare an assignment that will be turned in for credit.
1.
What is a problem we have when trying to view cells?
2.
What technology helps us solve this problem?
3.
How can we tell if a cell is plant or animal?
1.
What do you predict will happen to your view of cell organelles as we increase the power of the microscope from low to medium to high?
2.
Try writing this prediction as an “if, then” statement.
1.
Prepare your slide! See the Wet Mount Slide Preparation handout for instructions.
1.
Turn the large (coarse) adjustment knob until your sample is in focus. Label this section in your journal “low power” and write a few observations describing what you see.
2.
Rotate the objective lens to medium power. Turn the small (fine) adjustment knob until your sample is in focus. Label this section in your journal “medium power” and write a few observations describing what you see.
3.
Rotate the objective lens to high power. Turn the small (fine) adjustment knob until your sample is in focus. Label this section in your journal “high power” and draw what you see and label one example of all the organelles that you can find in a cell.
4.
To clean up your slide, please rinse the liquid and cells down the sink and use a drop of soap and some water to clean the slide and cover slip. Dry these two items and place them on the counter next to your microscope.
1.
How did the experiment prove or reject your hypothesis? Please explain.
2.
What two organelles are not found in animal cells but are found in plant cells? Why are they needed in plant cells but not animal cells?
3.
How can you tell the difference between a plant and animal cell by looking at the shape?
1.
At the end of the week, you will receive directions (and time) to prepare your lab results so you can turn them in for feedback and credit.