Compound Microscopes and Lab Techniques Jessica Tautfest Simplify

Compound Light Microscope Compound – more than one lens Light – method by which the images travel to your eye Microscope – “micro” means small and “Scope” means view Compound light microscopes are used to view small objects, such as cell structures, through the use of high magnification lenses and light

Parts of a Microscope Head – has the optical lenses of the microscope Base – support of the microscope, has the illuminator Arm – connects the base to the head, used to carry the microscope Eyepiece or Ocular – What you look through, magnifies by the power of 10X Objective Lenses - range from 4x-100x, magnifies objects Nose piece - has the objective lenses. The objectives are on a rotating piece for different selections. (Microscope.com, 2014.)

Parts of a microscope Coarse and Fine Focus knobs - are used to focus the microscope. Large movement vs. small movement. Stage – where the specimen sits to be viewed. Where the action happens! Stage Clips – used to keep the slide in place on the stage. Aperture – the opening in the stage where light comes through. Illuminator - the light source for a microscope. Diaphragm - controls the amount (focus and quantity) of light reaching the specimen. (Microscope.com, 2014.)

(Microscope.com, 2014.)

Magnification Start from lowest Magnification and work your way to the higher levels Move using nosepiece, not objective lens Total Magnification Ocular Lens – 10x Multiply by objective to get total magnification Ex. (10X) (4x) = 40 X Total Magnification

Wet Mount Place a small drop of sample fluid (containing specimen) in the center of the microscope slide. Hold the cover glass on one side with the help of tweezers. Lower the cover glass onto the water drop at an angle. Slowly lower the cover glass onto the liquid. This will minimize producing air bubbles. Removes excess water with filter paper or tissue paper. (Techwalla, 2017.)

Proper Labeling Checklist Title Circle containing specimen Labels (horizontal lines extending) Magnification Color (when necessary) Be neat!!

Dress Code Transporting Handling Hair tied back Closed toed shoes Legs covered Transporting Pick the microscope up by the handle and place the other hand under the base. Close to the Body Handling Do not drag Do not touch the lenses

Protist Post Lab Questions What is meant by a compound light microscope? Calculate the total magnification of all five drawings and write it underneath the drawing in your notebook. What happens to the field of view as the total magnification of the microscope increases?

References Microscope.com. (2014). Compound Microscope Parts. Retrieved from http://www.microscope.com/education-center/microscopes-101/compound- microscope-parts/#gref Techwalla. (2017.) How to make a wet mount microscope slide. Retrieved from http://www.microscope.com/education-center/microscopes-101/compound- microscope-parts/#gref