The document summarizes the main parts and proper use of a light microscope. It describes the objective lenses, how total magnification is calculated from the objective and eyepiece lenses, and how higher magnifications provide more detail but less visible area of the sample. Basic care and storage of microscopes is outlined. Methods for preparing slides with samples and coverslips are provided, as well as how stains can be used to highlight different cell structures. Questions at the end test the understanding of microscope use and calculations.

1. THE MICROSCOPE

2. Parts of the
light
microscope

3. Objective lenses
HP objective lens is
close to slide

4. Total magnification:
Magnification = Objective lens X Eyepiece lens
e.g. What is the total
magnification if the objective lens
is twenty times (X20) and the
eyepiece lens five times (X5)?
Magnification = 20 X 5 = X100

5. As magnification increases, detail
increases but:
Onion cell 40x
Onion cell 100x
Onion cell 400x
less of the cell is seen

6. Caring for the microscope:
1. Do not let any liquids to come in contact
with the microscope.
2. Always store the microscope inside a box
after use.
3. Return the objective lens onto low power
after use.
4. Carry the microscope by the arm.
5. Use a soft clean tissue to wipe the lenses

7. Microscope
slides
Coverslips

8. Fig. 2 Preparing
a slide as a wet
mount.

9. Use of stains:
 some parts of a plant cell can be clearly seen
when the cell is mounted in water
 E.g. an Elodea leaf cell:
 cell wall
 several chloroplasts
are seen

10.  other cell structures which are not so
obvious can often be shown up more clearly
by the addition of dyes called STAINS
METHYLENE BLUE
To stain animal cells
IODINE SOLUTION
To stain plant cells

11. A thin inner layer of
epidermis is peeled
off.
An onion is cut
into quarters.
One of the fleshy scale
leaves is removed.
Snapping leaf backwards
exposes the epidermis.
Epidermis is placed on
slide & covered with 2-3
drops of distilled water .
Coverslip is lowered.
A drop of stain is put at
one end of slide.
1 2
3
5
4
6
7
Stain is drawn over
specimen using a small
piece of filter paper.

12. Questions
1. A pupil prepared a microscope slide of onion
cells using water.
Diagram A shows how the cells looked when
first seen with the microscope.
Diagram B shows their appearance after the
addition of another liquid.
What name is given to a liquid used to make
cell structures easier to see?
Stain

13. 2. The drawing shows the appearance of a
prepared slide.
What causes the ring shapes? (1)
Air bubbles trapped beneath the coverslip.

14. 3. This diagram shows the main parts of a
typical light microscope.
a) How is a glass slide held in position on the
stage?
By the clips.

15. b) Why must the specimen on the slide be in
the centre of the hole in the stage?
To allow light pass through the specimen.
c) Why does the nosepiece rotate?
To clip in position the required objective lens.

16. d) What is the mirror for?
To reflect light onto the specimen.
e) How can you control the amount of light
coming through the microscope?
By moving the diaphragm.

17. f) Explain how you would use the microscope
to look at a specimen under the low power.
1. Clipping slide by clips.
2. Placing the low power objective in position.
3. Moving the tube downwards while looking
from the side until objective lens is close to
the slide.
4. Using the coarse adjustment
knob, the tube is racked
upwards until image is focused.

18. g) If you had a specimen in focus under the low
power, how would you go on to look at it
under high power?
By using the fine adjustment knob.

19. h) Why should you never rack downwards with
the coarse focusing knob while you are
looking down the microscope?
Not to break the slide.

20. i) If the magnifying power of the eyepiece lens
is ten times (X10), and that of the low power
objective lens is four times (X4), what is the
total magnification of a specimen under low
power?
10 x 4 = x40

21. T H E E N D