In learning to properly use the microscopes, there will be a series of tasks to perform in the lab. READ CAREFULLY all directions and ANSWER ALL
QUESTIONS, either on this document or in your Science notebook.
Everything is fair game for upcoming quizzes and practicals.
YOU MAY NOT BEGIN THIS LAB WITH TEACHER APPROVAL. OBTAIN
APPROVAL BY SHOWING YOUR TEACHER THAT YOU HAVE COMPLETED
THE TUTORIAL A SECOND TIME AND HAVE MASTERED MICROSCOPE
OPERATION.
Station 1: DIY – MICROSCOPE…SIMPLE TO COMPOUND
 Collect two simple microscopes (magnifying glass) from the basket, take them to your table, and examine the letter ‘e’ in the text of a book. Move the lens until you have maximum magnification.
QUESTION 1: Use a ruler (get from ‘Station 2 basket) to estimate the approximate magnification (meaning how large is the image in the lens compared to actual size of the ‘e’). In your Science notebook draw a diagram, showing the process you and your partner came up with to do this. Also explain your process and thinking in words.
APPROXIMATE MAGNIFICATION: ________ (answer here)
PROCESS TO ESTIMATE (draw & explain in Sci. notebook)
 Using a second lens, create your own "compound microscope”.
Experiment with both lenses until you achieve maximum magnification.
QUESTION 2: WHAT IS THE APPROXIMATE MAGNIFICATION: ________
OF YOUR NEW COMPOUND MICROSCOPE?
QUESTION 3: What two parts of the microscope do the magnifying glasses simulate in this ? ______________ and the ________________
QUESTION 4: Based on your reading (pgs. 6-13) how do we calculate the
total magnification of a microscope? Answer in Science Notebook.

STATION 2: FINDING THE ‘FIELD OF VIEW’ OF A MICROSCOPE
QUESTION 5: Discussing with your partner, decide what is the meaning of
‘field of view’ – you may use outside resources of course. Define in your own words in your science notebook and include a diagram:
 Observe a thin WHITE plastic ruler under low and medium power – BE
CAREFUL... DO NOT LET THE RULER TOUCH THE OBJECTIVE LENS!!!
What is the How wide is the Size of a grain of salt total field of view? (mm)
Low Power
Medium
Power
High
Power magnification?
(mm)
Do Not Attempt
QUESTION 6: So what happens to the field of view of a microscope as magnification increases? Answer in Science Notebook.
STATION 3: DEPTH OF FIELD
 Look at a prepared slide of colored fibers on low, medium, and high power. The fibers are stacked one color on top of the other – so there is one color on bottom, one in the middle, and one on top. Look at 3 different slides (A-F). Write down the letter of slide in the table. You will need to adjust the light using the diaphragm and make sure you observe the slides AT ALL 3 MAGNIFICATIONS
Bottom color
Middle color
Top color
Slide Letter:
_____
Slide Letter:
_____
Slide Letter:
_____
 Check with your teacher to see if your answers are correct.
QUESTION 7: What happens to the ‘depth of field’ as magnification is increased? Answer in Science Notebook.
STATION 4: MEASURING FIELD OF VIEW


Eyepiece x
Objective =
Total
Magnification
What is the distance across your field of view? Use the
Micrometer slides to help in your estimate (
Use a human hair, lay it on top of the micrometer slide.
How wide is the hair?
Low
Power
Medium
Power
High
Power
STATION 5: PREPARING A WET MOUNT
Most of the slides we will prepare for observation through the compound microscopes will be ‘wet mounts’. Specimens are thin enough for light to pass through, it is placed under a cover slip using a drop of water to ‘glue’ the cover slip into place. The cover slip protects the objective lens.
 Cut a letter ‘e’ from the newspaper and prepare it as a wet mount.
 BE CAREFUL! THE COVER SLIPS ARE EXTREMELY SHARP!!!
 Have your teacher observe your technique for wet mount preparation
 Use a tissue to soak any water that escape from under the slip
Observe the ‘e’ on low, medium, and high power. Practice using the diaphragm adjustment to control the amount of light. Sketch in your
science notebook as shown below:
Low Medium High
Magnification: ______
Est. Size: _________
STATION 6: HOW TO DRAW A GOOD CELL DIAGRAM
Magnification: ______
Est. Size: _________
Magnification: ______
Est. Size: _________

Take turns READING each statement below to your partner
 Title - Write the title of the type of cell and underline it with a ruler if there is no line already.
 Number of Cells - Pick three or four cells and draw them LARGE to show as much detail as possible.
 Where to Draw - Draw the cells while you are at your microscope, NOT when you are back at your table
 How to Draw & Label - Draw carfully with a pencil. Label the parts that you know
 Observations - Write down the observations of the cells next to the diagram.
Include color, shape, any movement, what you see inside, etc.
 Magnification - Write down the magnification that you are using when you make the diagram
Look at the cell diagram:
Score the diagram according to the rubric:
(Click in box to type)
STATION 6: HOW TO DRAW A GOOD CELL DIAGRAM (con’t)

 Collect a prepared slide from the basket. Using your microscope skills, focus and adjust the diaphragm to get the clearest possible image.
 Sketch what you see in your Science notebook using the same template and technique as in Station 5 (sketch at low, med, high magnification)
 This time include some of the additional information about the cells you are drawing as explained in the section you just read for Station 6.
 Look at the example below for additional guidance
 If time permits, repeat this with a different slide from the basket
 Make sure you have answered the questions and included appropriate diagrams in your Science notebook, as well as complete the charts on
Stations 2, 3, 4.