Experiment 2

Title
The Microscope and Its Use

Aim
To study the microscope, its operation and its uses

Materials
Compound microscope, stereo zoom microscope, microscope slides, spirogyra specimen,
worms, onion, iodine solution, dropper, coverslip, testing needle, ruler and knife.

Procedure
Refer to laboratory manual page 9 to 16

Results
A. Identifying the Parts
Interocular scale reading: 6 mm

D. Computing Magnification
Ocular Objective Magnification
10x 4x 40x
10x 40x 400x
10x 100x 1000x
10x 160x 1600x

E. Measuring Objects in the Microscope

1. Size of field under the lowest magnification
Field = 6 mm
Lowest total magnification = 40x

2. Size of field under another magnification

Field = 0.6 mm
Total magnification = 400x
 Organism Spirogyra
measured
Objective lens 4x
Total magnification 40x
Size of field (m) 6000
Relative size of 0.5
organism (mm)
Size of organism 500
(m)

Spirogyra under microscope:

F. Preparing a Wet Mount
Sketch:

View:

Total magnification = 100x

Using the visual field as a guide, estimation the size of the organism: 125 m
Organism identified: Onion cell

Discussion
A compound microscope was used throughout the experiment. A compound microscope has
two lenses – the ocular lens and objective lens. The ocular lens is the one nearest to the eye
and the objective lens is the one nearest to the specimen. There are four types of power of
objective lenses which are 4x, 40x, 100x and 160x.
A compound microscope is used to see living things that cannot be seen by the naked eye,
such as spirogyra and onion cells. While observing the images, fine adjustment knob is used
first followed by the coarse adjustment knob to ensure that the image is clear and focused at
the centre.

Possible errors that have occurred is that the lenses and the slides may have been dirty and
thus the view of the specimen was not very clear. To improve these, the lens of the
microscope and the specimen should be properly cleaned before using. Besides, precautions
were also taken during the experiment. For instance, air bubbles were ensured not to be
trapped between the cover slip and the specimen slide to ensure a clear viewing of the
specimen through the microscope.

Questions
1. In which direction do you move the lever to increase the amount of light?
The direction is clockwise.

2. Do you turn the knob towards you or away from you?

The knob is turned away from me.

3. Does the object appear normal or upside down?

The object appears upside down.

4. Does it move away from you or towards you?

The slide moves towards me.

Conclusion
I have learned how to properly and correctly use a microscope and the functions of the
microscope as well. Besides, I’ve also learned to maintain the microscope at good condition
and to appreciate it. When viewing a specimen through a microscope, the lowest power of
objective lens has to be used, and only later gradually change the power of the objective lens
to a higher power if needed for a more detailed viewing. I have also understood the sheer
small size of cells and organisms through this experiment.