1. Activity 35- A License to Learn

2. Essential Question
Why is it important to learn how to use a microscope properly?

3. Notes on Handling a Microscope
Always carry a microscope with 2 hands, one on the arm and one on the base.
To begin looking at the slide, make sure the microscope is on the lowest objective.
Make sure stage is as far away as possible, before you begin looking at specimen.
When you have finished using a microscope, remember to turn it off, use the coarse focus knob to raise the objectives/eyepiece all the way up, and set to the lowest objective.

4. Parts of the Microscope
The coarse focus knob is used to focus in on your specimen on low and medium power.
The diaphragm controls the amount of light that comes through the stage.
The light source reflects light into the stage, illuminating the specimen.
Eye piece- 10x magnification

5. Lowest objective(red)- 4X
Medium (yellow)- 10X
High (blue)-40X

6. Preparing a Wet Mount Slide
To prepare a wet mount slide:
Make sure slide and cover slip are clean
Place material flat, on center of slide
Place 1 drop of water directly on specimen
Slowly put cover slip over the specimen

7. Using the Microscope Objective x eye piece (10)= total magnification
Example: Low Power Objective= 4X Magnification, so:
4x X 10x= 40x Total Magnification
If material on slide is too bright, reduce the amount of light on the slide by slightly closing the diaphragm under the stage.
If material on slide is too dark, increase the amount of light on the slide by slightly opening the diaphragm under the stage.