1. Microscope
Basics

2. Ocular lens (Eyepiece)
Body Tube
Nosepiece
Arm
Objectives
Stage
Stage Clips
Coarse Adjustment
Diaphragm
Fine Adjustment
Light
Always carry a microscope with one hand holding the arm and one hand under the base.
Base

3. Fill in the table on your worksheet.
What’s my power?
To calculate the power of magnification, multiply the power of the ocular lens by the power of the objective.
What are the powers of magnification for each of the objectives we have on our microscopes?
Fill in the table on your worksheet.

4. Some microscopes come equipped with an arrow-shaped pointer accessory which allows the microscope user to identify things on the specimen. The pointer itself is located inside the eyepiece of the microscope.

5. Which of these images is viewed at a higher power of magnification?
Comparing Powers of Magnification
We can see better details with higher the powers of magnification, but we cannot see as much of the image.
Which of these images is viewed at a higher power of magnification?

6. Let’s give it a try ...
1 – Turn on the microscope and then rotate the nosepiece to click the red-banded objective into place.
2 – Place a slide on the stage and secure it using the stage clips. Use the coarse adjustment knob (large knob) to get it the image into view and then use the fine adjustment knob (small knob) to make it clearer.
3 – Once you have the image in view, rotate the nosepiece to view it under different powers. Draw what you see on your worksheet!
Be careful with the largest objective! Sometimes there is not enough room and you will not be able to use it!
4 – When you are done, turn off the microscope and put up the slides you used.

7. You do not need to use the stage clips when viewing wet-mount slides!
How to make a wet-mount slide …
1 – Get a clean slide and coverslip from your teacher.
2 – Place ONE drop of water in the middle of the slide. Don’t use too much or the water will run off the edge and make a mess!
3 – Place the edge of the cover slip on one side of the water drop.
4 - Slowly lower the cover slip on top of the drop.
Cover Slip
Lower slowly
You do not need to use the stage clips when viewing wet-mount slides!
5 – Place the slide on the stage and view it first with the red-banded objective. Once you see the image, you can rotate the nosepiece to view the slide with the different objectives.

8. This is the letter “e” before being put on a microscope and after
What are your observations?

9. The surface of a strawberry

10. Eyelash hairs growing from the surface of human skin

11. The end of the tongue of a hummingbird hawk moth

12. The surface of a erasable programmable read only memory silicone microchip

13. Human Sperm

14. Bacteria on a human tongue

15. Head of a mosquito

16. Rust on a nail

17. Romanesco broccoli spears

18. Eight eyes on the head of a Mexican red-kneed tarantula