1. Introduction to the Microscope
Types
Care
Parts
Using
Nosepiece
Students will have their microscopes out, for reference as we go through each of the steps. As an introduction, students will be asked what kinds of things they can do with this tool.

3. Types of Microscopes First microscopes were simple scopes
One magnifying lens (i.e. one magnifying glass)
Compound Microscopes
Two magnifying lenses & a source of light
Dissection Microscopes
Low magnification (cannot see cells)
Used for dissection to get a better look at the larger specimen
Scanning electron microscope (SEM)
Extremely detailed 3D views of the surface of the specimen (think of “S” for surface)
Specimens are coated with metal
Transmission electron microscope (TEM)
Electrons pass through the specimen - can view internal structure (think of “T” for through)
Specimen must be sliced into an extremely thin section nm and stained with metals

4. SEM images
Bacteria
Termite
Blood cell
Ballpoint pen

5. TEM images
Mitochondrion
Bacterium
Rough ER
Chloroplast

6. Microscope Care Always carry with 2 hands
Never allow cords to hang over the counter
Do not force knobs
Always use the fine focus if on any power higher than scanning (4X)
Loosely wrap the cord around the scope for storage
Never place on top of the vent in front of your station!
Teacher demonstrates how to hold the microscope, where the lens paper is located and how to use it. Students will be invited to turn the knobs and observe the stage as it moves up and down. Teacher will demonstrate how to store the microscope.

7. Microscope Parts Ocular Lens- Eyepiece Revolving Nosepiece Arm
Objective Lens
Stage
Stage Clips
This is the exact version of the microscope used in class. Students will be identifying the parts on the microscopes at their desks as we go along and what their functions are.
Coarse Adjustment Focus
Diaphragm
Fine Adjustment Focus
Light Source
Base

8. Parts of the Microscope Slide
Coverslip
Slide

9. Using the Microscope Turn the microscope on Lower stage
Click Nosepiece to the shortest setting (4X)
Place the Slide on the Microscope
Use Stage Clips
Look into the Eyepiece
Use the Coarse Focus to slowly bring specimen into focus
Bring specimen into focus using Fine
Focus knob
Adjust diaphragm if necessary
Give students a slide from the “common things” set, each student will practice focusing and changing objectives.

10. Using High Power Follow steps to focus using low power
Carefully turn the nosepiece to the next longest objective
Do NOT use the Coarse Focusing Knob
Use the Fine Focus Knob to bring the specimen into focus
Have students exchange slides so they can look at different things, walk them through using the high power objective to focus slides. Emphasize not using the coarse objective during this process, as it will crack the slides.

11. When Finished Observing
Bring stage all the way down
Turn nosepiece so that smallest objective is directly over the slide
Carefully remove the slide!

12. Microscope Terms Magnification Resolution Field of View Depth of Focus
Image Inversion

13. Magnification Making an image appear larger than its actual size
For example: magnification value of 100X means an image appears 100 times larger than its actual size
Total Magnification = objective mag. x ocular mag.
Example: 40X mag. (objective) times 10X mag. (ocular) = total of 400X mag.

14. Resolution
The ability of a microscope to show the details of an object, ability to distinguish between 2 lines
The higher the resolution the clearer the image
Both high magnification and good resolution are needed to view the details of extremely small objects clearly.

15. Focusing on an Object
Remember: Locate and Focus on your object with the scanning (smallest) objective lens first
This provides:
Greater Depth of Focus – depth of 3D objects (layers)
Greater Field of View – how much of the image you
can see