LAB: Using the Compound
Microscope
The Invention of the Microscope
– 1600s
• Robert Hooke’s Microscope
Robert Hooke
• first person to
observe cells in
1665
• looked at dead cork
cells under a simple
microscope
• saw “compartments”
• named them cells
Anton van Leeuwenhoek
• observed similar structures of cells in
algae in 1675
Early Microscopes
1920
1934
1938 –
photographic
system
Electron Microscopes
• Beam of electrons can magnify image up
to 10,000,000x.
1973
2012
SEM Micrographs
Ant
Pollen
Dustmite
Guesses…
More Images!
Lab: The Compound Microscope
• QUESTION: How do microscopes help
biologists explore the diversity of life?
• LAB OVERVIEW: In this investigation,
you will learn the parts and proper use of
the microscope. You will also learn to
prepare microscope slides using the wet
mount technique. You will observe
common every day items under different
powers of magnification.
Part I: The Microscope
• A. Carrying the Microscope
• Go get a microscope – carry it correctly
Microscope Parts
• Identify the
following parts
with your lab
partner.
• Use your HW
Body Tube
Nosepiece
Eyepiece
10x
Arm
Scanner 4x
Low 10x
High 40x
Stage
Clips
Course
Diaphragm
Fine
Light
Base
B: Preparing a wet mount slide
C. Viewing: Eyepiece (10x)
•
•
•
•
•
Objectives:
Scanner (4x) - course adjustment
Low power (10x) - course adjustment
High power (40x) - fine focus
How do you think you would determine
total magnification?
D. Clean Up
• Remove slide from microscope, rinse and
dry with lens wipe
• Throw away coverslip
• Rotate nosepiece so low power is down
• Wrap cord around base, cover, and return
to cabinet.
How to draw what you see
Title: ______________
1. Trace a circle with a
petri dish that
represents your
microscopes field of
view.
2. Write a title.
3. Write the magnification.
Magnification: ____________
Observations and answers to
questions go underneath or to the
right of your drawing.
4. Take time to sketch
exactly what you see in
your microscope.
5. Labels go outside the
circle.