Anatomy and Physiology I (BIO130)

Spring 2010

Prof. AnnMarie Armenti, MS

Exercise 3:
The Microscope
Care of the Compound Microscope
Hold in an upright position with one hand on the arm
and the other supporting the base
Use grit-free lens paper to clean the lenses. Clean all
lenses before and after use
Begin focusing on the lowest power objective
Use the coarse adjustment knob only with the lowest
power lens
Always use a coverslip with wet mount preparation
Before returning the microscope:
Remove the slide from the stage
Rotate the lowest-power objective lens into position
Replace the dust cover or return it to the storage area

Exercise 3:
The Microscope
Activity 1: Identifying the Parts of the Microscope
Activity 2: Viewing Objects through the Microscope
Activity 3: Estimating the Diameter of the
Microscope Field

Activity 4: Perceiving Depth

Activity 5: Preparing and Observing a Wet Mount

(10x)

Head (support)

Rotating Nosepiece

Iris Diaphragm Lever

(regulates the light passing
through the condenser contrast)

(support)

Condenser
(Small lens that concentrates
The light on the specimen)

(specimen)

(precise focusing)

Exercise 3:
The Microscope
Magnification
Interplay of 2 lenses
Ocular Lens (10x) Virtual image that we see
Objective Lens (4x, 10x, and 40x) Real image

Total Magnification:
Power of Ocular Lens x the power of Objective Lens
10 x 4 = 40x

Field: the area seen through the microscope

Exercise 3:
The Microscope
Microscope Field
Size of the microscope field decreases with
increasing magnification
Determining the diameter of the field
Field diameter = 4mm
Object extends across half the field
4 = 2 mm

Remember: Start lowest-power objective

to bring the grid lines into focus

Exercise 3:
The Microscope
Perceiving Depth
Depth of the Field (depth of the specimen clearly in focus)
is greater at lower magnification

1. Use Iris diaphragm lever to reduce the light

Increase contrast

2. Focus with the coarse adjustment until threads

are out of focus
3. Slowly focus them again, note which thread
comes first

Exercise 3:
The Microscope
Preparing a Wet Mount
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Place a drop of saline in the center of slide

Rub the inside lining of your cheek
Transfer cheek scrapings into saline on slide
Add a tiny drop of iodine or methylene blue
Stir
Coverslip: prevents soiling of the lens if you misfocus
Bottom edge should touch one side of the fluid drop
Then carefully lower the coverslip.

*** Probably want to dim the light with the iris diaphragm
Increase Contrast

How do you Prepare for Next Week?

Lecture:
Read Chapter 1 and 2 in the Text
Read over handouts

Laboratory:
Finish Lab. Exercise 1 and 3
Read Lab. Exercises 4 and 5A