Laboratory Exercise 1

MICROSCOPY

Objectives: At the end of the exercise, the student must be able to:
1. Identify and describe the parts and functions of each part of a bright-field microscope.
2. Practice proper care, handling, cleaning and storage of the microscope.
3. Develop skill in the manipulation of the microscope in observing microscopic specimens.
4. Record microscopic observations correctly.

Materials: Compound microscope, immersion oil, lens paper/cotton, cleansing solution (95%
alcohol), prepared slides of bacteria (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus)

Procedures:

A. Parts and its Functions

1. Place the compound microscope on a bench or table squarely (at least six inches away from
the edge of the working table) in front of you.
2. Examine and identify the different parts of the compound microscope.
3. Label the figure found in your lab report.
4. List the parts and describe under each classification (complete the table provided):
a. Mechanical (support and adjustment)
b. Illumination
c. Magnification

B. Handling and Manipulation

1. Obtain any prepared slides listed and place it on the stage, secure the slide with stage clip.
2. Adjust the eyepiece to your own personal measurements, look through the eyepiece, adjust
distance if youre using binocular eyepiece.
3. Focus first on the LPO. Adjust the iris diaphragm and condenser (by raising or lowering) for
desired light background effect. Use the coarse adjustment knob to bring the objectives to its
nearest distance while looking thru the slide, then looking thru the ocular slowly until the
object is in focus.
4. To observe minute details of specimen, shift to HPO by rotating the revolving nosepiece
while looking at the slide. Make sure the objectives clicks into position. Sharpen the image
by slight movement of fine adjustment knob. Never use the coarse adjustment knob when
HPO or OIO is in place, you will break the slide and damage the lens.
5. To use the HPO, swing it to place. Since it has a smaller aperture than the low power
objective, the iris diaphragm must be opened to fill the objective aperture with light. Sharpen
the focus with the fine adjustment knob.
6. After focusing the HPO, rotate the nosepiece halfway between HPO and OIO. Put a drop of
oil on the center of the slide; slowly click the OIO in position to immerse the object into the oil
drop. Use fine adjustment knob until the image appear clear.
7. Record your microscopic observations. Illustrate each prepared slide as it is seen in HPO.
8. After observing, rotate the LPO/ scanning objective in position. Using the coarse adjustment
knob, make sure that the nosepiece/ base is at its lowest position to obtain maximum
working distance.
9. Remove the slide from the stage, gently clean the objectives with lens paper or cotton
moistened with 95% alcohol, starting with the cleanest firstocular, low power, high power
and oil immersion.
10. Turn off the microscope light and unplug the microscope. Carry the microscope with both
hands, one hand grasping the arm and the other supporting the base. Return to its shelf.

Study Questions:
Short but concise answers must be placed after every question. Copy each question first
before writing your answer. Maximum of 2 sentences.
Dont forget in text citations and provide a list of your references in alphabetical order. Use
peer-reviewed journals, publications and books as your references. Avoid using web links,
blogs or WebMD as references.

1. How can each objective be identified if the identification marks are removed?
2. How is total magnification of the compound microscope determined?
3. What is the purpose of the oil in the oil immersion objective?
4. What is meant by resolving power and how is it related to magnification? What factor(s) limit
(s) the resolving power of the light microscope? How would you enhance it?
5. Differentiate the following types of microscope by distinguishing features, and practical
uses? Tabulate your answers.
a. Bright-field
b. Dark-field (light) microscope
c. Phase-contrast (light) microscope
d. Fluorescence microscope
e. Electron microscope
 Laboratory Exercise No. 1
MICROSCOPY

RESULTS:

A. Parts of the Microscope (Properly label the parts of the microscope.)

A. H.

B. I.

C. J.

D. K.

E. L.

F. M.

G.
B. Function of the Parts of the Microscope

Parts Functions (Bulleted, maximum of 3)

I. Mechanica
l
A. Support

1. Base

2. Arm

3. Pillar

4. Stage platform

5. Stage knob

6. Revolving nosepiece

7. Draw tube

8. Body tube

B. Adjustment

1. Coarse adjustment
knob
2. Fine adjustment knob

3. Inclination knob

II. Illuminatio
n
1. Mirror/ Light

2. Condenser

3. Iris diaphragm

III. Magnifying

1. Scanner

2. LPO

3. HPO

4. OIO

5. Ocular/ Eyepiece

C. Prepared Slides (Illustrate each prepared slide as it is seen in HPO.)

Name of Microorganism______________ Name of Microorganism______________

OIO (_______x) OIO (_______x)