ACTIVITY 2

THE MICROSCOPE

Unit Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of the topic, students will be able to:

1. Discuss the history of microscope.

2. Describe the different types of microscopes.
3. Demonstrate each major part of a compound light microscope and describe its function.
4. Determine total magnification at different settings; and
5. describe the proper use of microscope.

Pre-laboratory Discussion

Microscopes are instruments designed to produce magnified visual or photographic images of small objects.
A microscope increases the size of retinal image of an object. The ratio of this increased image to that
formed on retina of an unaided normal eye is termed as magnification of the microscope.

The first vision instrument was developed in 1000 AD and was called “Reading Stone”. During the 17th
century, a Dutch draper and scientist named Anton Van Leeuwenhoek was the first man to make and use
a real microscope. He was able to see bacteria, protozoa, sperm, yeast, and blood cells. It is a Simple
Microscope which has a single lens. Leeuwenhoek is considered as the Father of Microscopy.

Robert Hooke, an English scientist, discovered that larger organisms had small, microscopic subunits that
he called “cells”. He was the first man to use the basic microscope with 2 converging lens systems – the
Compound Microscope. In a compound microscope, the light passes to two or more lenses, thus the light
is transmitted through an object.

TYPES OF MICROSCOPES

1. Simple Microscope
2. Compound Microscope
3. Dissecting/Stereoscopic Microscope
4. Phase-Contrast Microscope
5. Polarized Light Microscope

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6. Dark Field Microscope
7. Electron Microscope
a. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)
b. Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM)

Figure 2a. Specimen viewed under SEM

Figure 2b. Specimen viewed under TEM

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PARTS OF THE MICROSCOPE

Figure 2c. Important parts of a Microscope

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 Teaching and Learning Activities

● Pre-Analytical Phase

1. Disinfect the working area using 10% sodium hypochlorite.

2. Wear complete and proper PPE.

● Analytical Phase

Reagents, Supplies and Equipment

1. Microscope
2. Prepared slides
3. Immersion Oil
4. Lens paper
5. PPE

Procedure

A. Proper Use of Microscope

1. Place the microscope on a clean, flat surface.
 Always carry the microscope with two hands: one under the base and the other grasping the
arm. Carry it in an upright position.
2. Unwind the cord from the back of the microscope and connect it to the power supply.
 Before you turn on the microscope, make sure that the light intensity dial is on the lowest
setting. If the light intensity dial is on a high setting, the sudden voltage surge may burn out the
lamp.
3. Make sure the stage and objective are at the farthest distance apart and that the lowest-power
objective is in position.
4. Turn on the microscope. Open the diaphragm.
5. Place the prepared slide on the stage of the microscope.
6. Secure the slide in place with the 2 stage clips.
7. Use the stage adjustment knob to center the specimen over the condenser lens.
8. With binocular eyepiece, turn the eyepieces to find the correct space between the eyes, or
interpupillary distance. You should see a single circle of light when you look through both
eyepieces.
 The proper way to use a monocular microscope is to look through the eyepiece with one eye
and keep the other eye open (this helps avoid eye strain).
9. Start focusing on the lowest power objective lens (4x).
10. Use the coarse adjustment knob to move the objective (still on lowest power) as close as possible
to the slide.
 Look at the slide and lens from the side when doing this.
11. Look through the eyepiece and focus the slide.

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  Slowly turn the coarse adjustment so that the objective lens goes up (away from the slide).
When the image becomes clear, switch to the fine adjustment knob to make the image even
sharper.
 Adjust the light intensity, using the lamp controller or diaphragm, until the detail of the image is
at its clearest.
12. Magnify the image with a higher objective.
 Use caution when switching between objectives to avoid breaking the slide.
 Use the fine adjustment knob when working with the higher objectives.
13. Focus the image using Oil Immersion Objective Lens.
 After focusing on the high-dry lens, rotate the nosepiece halfway to the high-oil-objective lens.
 Put a drop of immersion oil on the slide, and then rotate the high-oil objective lens into the oil
drop.
 You may need to increase the lighting.
14. When finished, rotate the lowest-power objective lens (4x) in viewing position and make sure that
the objective and stage are as far apart as possible.
15. Remove the slide.
16. Clean the objective lens and other surfaces.
17. Turn off the light and power and wrap the cord.
18. Return the scope to its original configuration.

B. Care of the Microscope

1. When not in use for an extended period of time, the microscope always should be covered or
protected from dust.
2. Before use, inspect the component parts.
3. Avoid placing fingers on the lens surface.
4. Do not use water to clean lenses.

● Post-Analytical Phase

1. Segregate and dispose all infectious and biohazardous waste in their proper waste bins.
2. Disinfect the working area using 10% sodium hypochlorite.
3. Remove all used PPE after the activity.

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Name: ___________________________________ Date: ______________
Section: ________________ Group: _________ Score: ______________

ACTIVITY 2A

THE MICROSCOPE

I. Draw and label the parts of a compound microscope. (15 points)

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 Review Questions

1. What are the different types of microscopes? Differentiate each type based on the quality of
image produced. (7 points)
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2. What is total magnification? What is the formula for the computation of total magnification? (2
points)
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3. What are the magnifications of each objective? Discuss the function of each objective. (2 points)
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4. What is the difference between a condenser and a diaphragm in terms of their functions? (2
points)
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5. What is the proper way to use the coarse adjustment knob so you don’t crack the objective
lens? (2 points)
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Name: ___________________________________ Date: ______________
Section: ________________ Group: _________ Score: ______________

ACTIVITY 2B

PROPER USE OF MICROSCOPE

Rubrics

Weight 1 – Developing 2 – Acceptable 3 - Effective 4 - Exceptional Score

Pre-Analytical (10%)
Disinfection or Cleaning
of 4 Areas in the
Laboratory All areas in the laboratory 3 areas in the laboratory All areas in the laboratory
2 areas in the laboratory
(5%) were not disinfected were disinfected before were disinfected before
were disinfected before use
before use use use
(1) sink (2) table (3)
cabinet (3) floor
Wearing PPE
(5%)
1 out of 4 PPE worn 2 out of 4 PPE worn 3 out of 4 PPE worn All PPE worn
(1) gloves (2) mask (2) hair
net (4) laboratory gown
Analytical (60%)
Microscope Handling
(10%)

(1) Carry the microscope

with two hands: one under
the base and the other
grasping the arm.
(2) Carry the scope in an 1 out of 4 done 2 out of 4 done 3 out of 4 done 4 out of 4 done
upright position.
(3) Place the microscope
on a clean, flat surface.
(4) Unwind the cord from
the back of the microscope
and connect it to the power
supply.
Microscope Setup (10%)

(1) The stage and

objective are at the
farthest distance apart.
(2) The lowest-power 1 out of 4 done 2 out of 4 done 3 out of 4 done 4 out of 4 done
objective lens (4x) is in
position.
(3) Turn on the
microscope.
(4) Open the diaphragm.
Microscope Setup (10%)
1 out of 4 done 2 out of 4 done 3 out of 4 done 4 out of 4 done
(1) Place the prepared

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slide on the stage of the
microscope.
(2) Secure the slide in
place with the 2 stage
clips.
(3) Use the stage
adjustment knob to center
the specimen over the
condenser lens.
(4) Adjust the eyepieces to
find the correct space
between the eyes.
Focusing the Specimen
(10%)

(1) Start focusing on the

lowest power objective
lens (4x).
(2) While looking from the
side, use the coarse
adjustment knob to move
1 out of 4 done 2 out of 4 done 3 out of 4 done 4 out of 4 done
the objective (still on
lowest power) as close as
possible to the slide.
(3) Look through the
eyepiece and slowly turn
the coarse adjustment.
(4) Switch to the fine
adjustment knob to make
the image even sharper.
Focusing the image
with10x magnification
(10%)

(1) Rotate the nosepiece

to the next highest
objective lens (10x).
(2) Use caution when 1 out of 4 done 2 out of 4 done 3 out of 4 done 4 out of 4 done
switching between
objectives to avoid
breaking the slide.
(3) Use the fine adjustment
knob when working with
the higher objective.
(4) Refocus
Focusing the image with
40x magnification (10%)

(1) Rotate the nosepiece

to the next highest
objective lens (40x)
(2) Use caution when
1 out of 4 done 2 out of 4 done 3 out of 4 done 4 out of 4 done
switching between
objectives to avoid
breaking the slide.
(3) Use the fine adjustment
knob when working with
the higher objectives.
(4) Refocus
Post-Analytical (30%)

Microscope Cleaning
(10%)

(1) Rotate the lowest-

power objective lens (4x)
in viewing position. 1 out of 4 done 2 out of 4 done 3 out of 4 done 4 out of 4 done
(2) Make sure that the
objective and stage are as
far apart as possible.
(3) Remove the slide.
(4) Clean the objective

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lens and other surfaces.

Placing Microscope back

into the Cabinet (10%)

(1) Turn off the light and

power.
(2) Wrap the cord.
(3) Carry the microscope 1 out of 4 done 2 out of 4 done 3 out of 4 done 4 out of 4 done
with both hands back to
the cabinet.
(4) Make sure that the arm
is facing out and the
microscopes are not
crowded together.
Disinfection or Cleaning
of 4 Areas in the
Laboratory All areas in the laboratory 3 areas in the laboratory All areas in the laboratory
2 areas in the laboratory
(5%) were not disinfected after were disinfected after were disinfected after
were disinfected after use
use use use
(1) sink (2) table (3)
cabinet (3) floor
Waste Disposal
(5%)
4 types of wastes were 2 types of wastes were 3 types of wastes were
All wastes were disposed
not disposed to disposed to appropriate disposed to appropriate
(1) Gloves (2) Mask (3) to appropriate bag
appropriate bag bag bag
Hair Net (4) non-infectious,
non-biodegradable
Total Score:

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