Using a Microscope

Students learn how to properly use a microscope to observe prepared slides of plant and animal cells. They practice focusing under low and high power and record biological diagrams of what they see.

1. Review microscope safety rules, including how to carry, focus, and adjust light on the microscope.
2. Place a prepared slide (e.g., onion skin, elodea leaf, cheek cells, or mitosis slides) on the microscope stage.
3. Secure the slide with stage clips and turn on the light source.
4. Begin with the lowest power objective, centering the specimen in the circle of light.
5. Use the coarse focus knob to bring the image into view, then fine focus for clarity.
6. Switch to a higher magnification and adjust using fine focus only.
7. Draw a labeled biological diagram of the specimen, including key features such as nucleus, cytoplasm, and cell wall (if visible).
8. Repeat observations with different prepared slides if available.

BIOLOGY 10 - Basic Microscope Setup and Use - Fresno State:

Using a microscope The parts and how to focus - MooMooMath and Science:

📄 Lab: Using a Microscope - SciGen Teacher Dashboard: [[https://serpmedia.org/scigen/l7.5.html]

• Use digital microscopes or phone-compatible microscopes to capture images.
• Compare plant and animal cell slides to highlight differences.
• Assign students to observe different types of cells and share diagrams with the class.

• Always carry microscopes with two hands (base and arm).
• Rotate objectives carefully to avoid scratching slides.
• Store microscopes with the lowest objective in place.
• Handle prepared slides gently to prevent breakage.

• What features help you identify a cell as plant or animal? (Plant cells have cell walls and sometimes chloroplasts; animal cells lack these structures.)
• Why is it important to start focusing with low power before moving to high power? (It makes it easier to locate and center the specimen without damaging the slide or lens.)
• How does using a stain improve visibility of structures? (It highlights organelles such as the nucleus that are otherwise hard to see.)
• Why should scientific diagrams be neat, labeled, and proportional rather than decorative? (Accurate diagrams help communicate scientific observations clearly.)