Name _____________________________
Block ____________
Date ________________
Microscope Stations
Station 1: Scanning Electron Microscopes
The sites for this assignment are listed on the “Cells & Microscopes” page of the Kid Zone
at http://www.sciencespot.net/Pages/kdzbio.html.
Site #1: MOS Scanning Electron Microscope
http://legacy.mos.org/sln/SEM/seminfo.html
Click the link for “How It Works” and then choose “Slide Show”.
1. What does SEM mean? ____________________________________________________________________
2. How do conventional light microscopes work? _____________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
3. What does the scanning electron microscope use to magnify images? _______________________
4. Why are the images black and white? _____________________________________________________
5. How does the SEM work? Read the captions and put the steps in order from 1 to 7.
As the electron beam hits each spot on the sample, secondary electrons are knocked
loose from its surface, which are counted by a deflector and sent as signals to an amplifier.
The sample is placed inside the microscope's vacuum column through an air-tight door.
A set of scanning coils moves the focused beam back and forth across the specimen,
row by row.
The final image is built up from the number of electrons emitted from each spot on the
sample.
Air is pumped out of the column before the electron gun emits a beam of electrons,
which travels downward through a series of magnetic lenses designed to focus the electrons
to a very fine spot.
The Scanning Electron Microscope reveals new levels of detail and complexity in the
amazing world of microorganisms.
SEM samples are coated with a very thin layer of gold by a machine called a sputter
coater.
Site #2: Magnification Module
http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/virtual/magnifying/index.html
Part One:
1. Select a specimen from the pop-up menu. View the specimen at each of the different
magnifications.
2. Choose another item from the list and view at different magnifications. Draw what you see at
the following magnifications. Specimen: ______________________
50x
100x
500x
1000x
a. At which power do you see the greatest detail? ______________________________________
b. At which power do you see the largest amount of the sample? _______________________
c. At which power do you see the smallest amount of the sample? ______________________
3. What do you notice about the image as you increase the magnification? ____________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Part Two: **THIS PART NEEDS JAVA! HIT RUN THIS TIME TO ALLOW FOR YOU TO USE THE SIMULATION**
4. Click the link to “Virtual Microscopy” in the left menu bar. Select the link for “Scanning Electron
Microscopy” at the top of the list. Choose a specimen from the drop-down menu to begin.
a. Use the focus, contrast and brightness sliders to optimize the appearance of the
specimen.
b. Next, use the magnification slider to increase the magnification. Draw what you see at
increasing magnifications. Specimen: _____________________
_______x
_______x
_______x
_______x
5. Describe the differences you observed between the compound light images from part one
and the scanning electron images from part two. ___________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Station 2: Scientific Drawings
Directions: Read the reading that was adapted from “Rediscovering the Forgotten Benefits of
Drawing” by Jennifer Landin, Ph.D. September 4, 2015 on Scientific American. Review the pieces
below to complete your own scientific drawing.
1. When making a scientific drawing, you must include the following pieces of information: title
(name of the object), labels, total magnification (if projected), point of view
(longitudinal/cross section for slides, above/side/below for others), and color details.
2. Always draw in pencil and add color and texture details using colored pencil only, no markers
or highlighters.
3. Label your drawing using a ruler to draw straight lines. All lines should be drawn horizontally off
to the side and out of the field of the drawing. Double check your work for spelling!
Directions: Take what you have learned/read and make an accurate scientific drawing of one of
the items at your station. Use the checklist above to determine if your scientific drawing is accurate.
Station 3: Cell Structure Gizmo
Our bodies are made up of trillions of cells. Each cell is a beautiful and complex structure. Just as
organs carry out essential functions in our bodies, the organelles in a cell work together to produce
energy, manufacture proteins, and store our genetic code.
In the Cell Structure GizmoTM, you will explore the structure and function of typical animal and plant
cells. View the cell at several magnifications, and locate and read about each of the organelles
within the cell.
You may work with a partner to complete the activities; however, you must work INDIVIDUALLY to
answer the assessment questions on your own paper.
Activity A:
Animal cells
Get the Gizmo ready:
Question: Organelles are specialized structures that perform various functions in the cell. What are the
functions of the organelles in an animal cell?
1. Label: Locate each organelle in the animal cell. Label the organelles in the diagram below.
2. Match: Read about each organelle. Then match each organelle to its function/description.
____ Cytoplasm
____ Lysosome
____ Mitochondria
____ Centriole
____ Endoplasmic reticulum
____ Vacuole
____ Cell membrane
____ Nucleus
____ Ribosome
____ Nuclear membrane
____ Golgi apparatus
____ Vesicle
____ Nucleolus
Activity B:
Plant cells
A. Structure that organizes motion of
chromosomes.
B. Stack of membranes that packages
chemicals.
C. Membrane that protects the nucleus.
D. Membrane that surrounds and protects the
cell.
E. Sac filled with digestive chemicals.
F. Structures that converts nutrients to energy.
G. Passageways where chemicals are made.
H. Jelly-like substance within the plasma
membrane.
I. Structure that manufactures ribosomes.
J. Structure that contains DNA and directs the
cell.
K. Package created by the Golgi apparatus.
L. Small structure that synthesizes proteins.
M. Sac that stores water, nutrients, or waste
products.
Get the Gizmo ready:
Question: What functions do the organelles in a plant cell perform?
1. Label: Locate each organelle in the plant cell. Label the organelles in the diagram below.
2. Compare: What structures are present in an animal cell, but not in a plant cell? ______________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
What structures are present in a plant cell, but not in an animal cell? _________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Fill in: Name the organelle or organelles that perform each of the following functions.
A. _____________________ convert sunlight to chemical energy.
B. The _____________________ and the _____________________ help to support the plant cell and
help it to maintain its shape.
C. _____________________ store food or pigments.
D. The _____________________ converts food into energy. It is found in both plant cells and
animal cells.
Station 4: Microscope Labeling
Directions:
1. Use the diagram of the compound light microscope and name cards to work with a partner to
label the microscope. You will notice that many of the parts have common-sense names.
Work as a pair to place the cards on the microscope diagram where you think they belong.
2. Once you have placed all of the cards where you believe they belong, check your answers
on page 847 in your textbook.
3. Rearrange the name cards on the diagram as necessary so the labels are correct.
4. Use the corrected team diagram to copy the names of the parts on your own microscope
diagram below.
5. Use p. 847 of your textbook as a resource and identify each of the parts described below.
Color each part according to the directions if you would like (not required).
(a) the place where you put the slide (blue) ___________________________________________
(b) the parts which contain a lens (red) ________________________________________________
a. Total magnification is calculated by multiplying the eyepieces lens by the
objective lens (Total magnification = eyepiece lens X objective lens). If the
eyepiece is 10X and the objective lens is 4X, the total magnification is 40X. If
the eyepiece is 5X and the objective lens is 20 X, the total magnification is
_________.
(c) the part which should always be used to focus with first when using low power (green)
___________________________________________________________________________________
(d) the part which controls the amount of light which can go through the stage (yellow)
___________________________________________________________________________________
(e) the two parts you hold when you carry the microscope (orange) ____________________
(f) the only part used to focus when the high-power objective is in place (purple) _______
___________________________________________________________________________________
(g) the part that holds the slide in place (pink) _________________________________________
Station 4: Making a Wet Mount
Directions: Follow the steps below to make a wet mount of the letter “r”. You will use this slide at your
next station. This technique is often used in science and will require some practice.
1. Place the specimen in the center of a clean slide.
2. Using a dropper, place 1 to 2 drops of water on the specimen.
3. Put one edge of the cover slip into the drop of water and SLOWLY lower it from left to right over
the specimen and water drop.
4. Remove any air bubbles from under the cover slip by gently tapping the cover slip.
5. Dry any excess water before placing the slide on the microscope stage for viewing.
Station 5: A Closer Look
Prediction: In this activity you will look at a small letter “r” under the microscope. In the space below
draw the letter as it appears on the paper and what you think the image will look like when you see it
through the microscope.
Set Up and Use a Compound Light Microscope:
1. Use the wet mount slide of the letter “r” from Station 4.
2. Use the steps below to properly set up and use the compound light microscope.
Step 1: Turn on the microscope.
Step 2: Turn the revolving nosepiece to the ___________________ objective.
Step 3: Put the slide on the _____________ and under the stage clips.
Step 4: Adjust the ______________ adjustment knob until you see a clear image of your
specimen.
Step 5: Move the revolving nosepiece to the _________________ objective.
Step 6: Adjust the fine adjustment knob until you see a clear image of your specimen.
Step 7: Move the revolving nosepiece to the _________________ objective.
Step 8: Adjust the __________adjustment knob ONLY until you see a clear image of your
specimen.
Step 9/Clean Up: Turn the revolving nosepiece to the ___________________ objective,
__________ all the way down, remove _______________, turn off, and _______________.
3. Compare what you saw under high power to what you saw under low power.
4. In the space, draw what the slide looks like to the unaided eye.
5. In the circle below, draw the object exactly as you see it under
low power.
Object without magnification
Total magnification ___X
6. While looking through the eyepiece, carefully move the slide slowly to the right. What happens
to the letter “r”?
7. While looking through the eyepiece, carefully move the slide slowly away from you. What
happens to the letter “r”?
Application: For each situation described below, explain what you should do to see the object more
clearly.
1. The object looks fuzzy:
2. The object is too small:
3. Only a small part of the object appears at the very right edge of view:
4. There is not enough light: