STE

8
BIOTECHNOLOGY
Quarter 1 - Lesson 2
The Microscope
Content Standard
The learners should demonstrate understanding of proper use of laboratory
apparatus/equipment
Performance standard
The learners should be able to properly use laboratory apparatus/equipment.
Most Essential Learning Competencies
Explain the methods and proper handling of compound microscope.

Duration: 1 Week
Learning Resources:
Electronic resources
https://www.microscope.com/how-to-use-a-compound-microscope/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUo2fHZaZCU

Quarter 1
Lesson 2 Proper Handling of a Microscope

Overview
Working in the laboratory using different apparatuses and equipment need
knowledge and skills. Improper handling of them can cause damage and can greatly
affect the result of the study. Thus, a researcher should equip with knowledge in proper
handling of apparatuses and equipment.
In the past, you were introduced to the different laboratory apparatuses and
equipment like light microscope. You learned the parts of the light microscope, its function
and how to handle it properly. Now in your Grade 8, you will learn other laboratory
apparatuses and equipment. One of these is the compound microscope. This module will
focus on the proper handling of the microscope. You will be guided with the tips on how
to handle it correctly as we go through in this module.
 1
Since you don’t have an actual microscope at home and you cannot go to
laboratory in school due to Covid-19 pandemic, just study the picture of a compound
microscope in this module and get familiar of the different parts and its functions. You
can also view it in a you tube by clicking the link indicated here.

The Compound Microscope

A compound microscope is an instrument that is used to view magnified images
of small objects on a glass slide. It can achieve higher levels of magnification than stereo
or other low power microscopes and reduce chromatic aberration. It achieves this through
the use of two or more lenses in the objective and the eyepiece.
The objective lens or objectives located on the nosepiece have a short focal length
and are close to the target object where it collects light and focuses the image of the
object into the microscope. The second lens, in the eyepiece, has a longer focal length
and further enlarges the image.

Figure 1. The Compound Microscope and Its Parts

• Eyepiece (ocular lens) with or without Pointer: The part that is looked
through at the top of the compound microscope. Eyepieces typically have a
magnification between 5x & 30x.

• Monocular or Binocular Head: Structural support that holds & connects the
eyepieces to the objective lenses.

• Arm: Supports the microscope head and attaches it to the base.

• Nosepiece: Holds the objective lenses & attaches them to the microscope head.
This part rotates to change which objective lens is active.

• Base: Bottom base of the microscope that houses the illumination & supports
the compound microscope.

• Objective lenses: There are usually 3-5 optical lens objectives on a compound
microscope each with different magnification levels. 4x, 10x, 40x, and 100x are
the most common magnifying powers used for the objectives. The total
magnification of a compound microscope is calculated by multiplying the objective
lens magnification by the eyepiece magnification level. So, a compound
microscope with a 10x eyepiece magnification looking through the 40x objective
lens has a total magnification of 400x (10 x 40).

• Specimen or slide: The object used to hold the specimen in place along with
slide covers for viewing. Most slides & slide covers are thin glass rectangles.

• Stage or Platform: The platform upon which the specimen or slide are placed.
The height of the mechanical stage is adjustable on most compound microscopes.

• Stage clips or mechanical stage: Clips on the stage that hold the slide in place
on the mechanical stage.

• Aperture-Disc or Iris Diaphragm: Circular opening in the stage where the

illumination from the base of the compound microscope reaches the platform of
the stage.

• Abbe Condenser: This lens condenses the light from the base illumination and
focuses it onto the stage. This piece of the compound microscope sits below the
stage & typically acts as a structural support that connects the stage to arm or
frame of the microscope.

• Coarse and fine adjustment controls: Adjusts the focus of the microscope.
These knobs increase or decrease the level of detail seen when looking at the slide
or specimen through the eyepiece of the compound microscope.
 • Stage height adjustment: Adjusts the position of the mechanical stage
vertically & horizontally. It is important to adjust these knobs so that the objective
lens is never coming into contact with the slide or specimen on the stage.

• Mirror: Reflects light into the base of the microscope. Earlier microscopes used
mirrors that reflected light into the base of the microscope instead of halogen bulbs
as their source of illumination.

• Illumination: Light used to illuminate the slide or specimen from the base of the
microscope. Low voltage halogen bulbs are the most commonly used source of
illumination for compound microscopes.

• Bottom Lens or Field Diaphragm: Knob used to adjust the amount of light that
reaches the specimen or slide from the base illumination.

How to Use a Compound Microscope

Familiarization First, familiarize yourself with all the parts of a microscope so that you
can easily move from one part to another during operation.

Moving and Placement: It is worth remembering that while a good quality

microscope will last a lifetime, it is a sensitive scientific instrument that will suffer damage
from sharp blows or impact. Always, therefore, carry your microscope in both hands.
Grasp the arm with one hand and place the other hand under the base for support.
Always place the microscope on a level and stable surface.

Slide Preparation: Microscope slides should always be prepared with a cover slip or
cover glass over the specimen. This will help protect the objective lenses if they touch
the slide. To hold the slide on the stage fasten it with the stage clips. You can push down
on the back end of the stage clip to open it.

Focusing the Microscope:

• Start by turning the revolving nosepiece (turret) so that the lowest power objective
lens is "clicked" into position. The lowest power objective is the shortest one. This
objective is the easiest to focus and center the image in the field of view.
• While looking at the objective lens and the stage from the side, turn the coarse focus
knob so that the stage moves upward toward the objectives. Move it as far as it will
go without touching the slide.
• Now, look through the eyepiece(s) and adjust the illuminator and diaphragm until
you attain the maximum, comfortable level of light.
• Slowly turn the coarse adjustment so that the stage moves down (away from the
slide). Continue until the image comes into broad focus. The turn the fine adjustment
knob, as necessary, for perfect focus.
 • Move the microscope slide until the image is in the center of the field of view. Then
readjust the illuminator or diaphragm in order to attain the clearest image.
• Once you have attained a clear image, you should be able to change to a higher
power objective lens with only minimal use of the focusing adjustment. If you cannot
focus on your specimen, repeat the above steps and work from objective to objective
until the higher power objective lens is in place.

General Advice: You should check to see if your microscope has a rack stop. If it does
not have one, then be careful not to allow the objective lens to touch the slide as you
may break the slide. When using a monocular microscope, the correct technique is to
look through the eyepiece with one eye and keep the other eye open. Most new users,
tend to close one eye. While many microscopists do close one eye, you will help avoid
eye strain by keeping both eyes open.

Finally, remember! When you view a specimen through a microscope, you are
viewing an image through multiple lenses.

As a result, the image is upside down and back-to-front so when you move the
slide to the right, the image moves to the left and vice versa!

Care & Maintenance of Your Microscope:

Your compound microscope will last a lifetime if cared for properly and we recommend
that you observe the following basic steps:
• When finished viewing, lower the stage, click the low power lens into position and
remove the slide.
• Switch off the microscope when not using.
• Avoid touching the glass part of the lenses with your fingers. Use only special lens
paper to clean the lenses.
• Dust is the number one enemy of a microscope so always keep your microscope
covered when not in use. When not in use for extended periods, replace the
microscope in its box.

(Source: https://www.microscope.com/how-to-use-a-compound-microscope/)
 Activity
1 The Compound Microscope

I Objectives:

1. Identify the parts of a compound microscope and explain their functions.

2. Explain the methods of proper handling of the microscope.

II Procedure:
1. Draw a compound microscope in a long bond paper. You can color it using
any available coloring materials at home (optional).
2. Label the different parts of the microscope and explain their functions.
3. Discuss the proper handling of the compound microscope.

A. Drawing:

B. Parts and its function:

C. Proper Handling of the microscope:

III Generalization:

I learn that ________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Evaluation:
Direction: Explain the methods or steps for proper handling of the compound
microscope based on what you have learned in this module or from the
video that you have watched. Write it on a separate sheet of paper

Enrichment:
Watch the video tutorial on the different parts of the microscope, its functions,
how to use and handle it properly. You may browse on the link listed below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUo2fHZaZCU
 Activity Sheet
Name: _________________________________________________________________
Grade & Section: ________________________________________________________
Activity I
The Compound Microscope
Objectives:
1. Identify the parts of a compound microscope and explain their functions.
2. Discuss the proper handling of the microscope.

Procedure:
1. Draw a compound microscope in a long bond paper. You can color it using any
available coloring materials at home (optional).
2. Label the different parts of the microscope and explain their functions.
3. Discuss the proper handling of the compound microscope.

Drawing:
A. Drawing:

B. Parts and its function:

C. Proper Handling of the microscope:

Generalization:

I learned that ___________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

Prepared by:

ALMIRA F. ESMEÑO
Subject Teacher
Jagnaya National High School
Jagnaya, Jamindan, Capiz