G7 2ND Module 2

Focus Specimens
Using the Compound

Microscope
Learning Objectives
At the end of the session, the learners will be able
to:
Focus specimens using the compound microscope
(S7LT-IIb2).
Identify the correct procedure on how to focus
specimens and explain the importance of focusing
specimens using a compound microscope.
Focus on Me!
Even a long time before, man has wanted to see things that are
much smaller than can be seen with the naked eye.
In ancient times, glass had been invented by the Romans.
They learned that if you held one of these lenses over an object, it
would look larger. Someone also discovered that when you focus the
sun rays on the glasses, it starts a fire.
These newly discovered lenses were called magnifiers or burning
glasses. The word “lens” is derived from the Latin word lentil,
because they resembled the shape of a lentil bean.
Focus on Me!
The early simple microscopes had only one
power, its magnifying glasses are usually about
6x to 10x only. The common thing they look at
were fleas and other tiny insects, hence, they
were called “flea glasses”.
The Discovery of Microscope
There were two Dutch spectacle makers who
experimented with the lenses, Zaccharias
Janssen and his father Hans Lippershey.
They put several lenses in a tube and observed
that the object near the end of the tube seemed to
be greatly enlarged, it is much larger than by using
a simple magnifying glass. They have just made
an important discovery, they invented the
compound microscope - a microscope which uses
two or more lenses
Galileo Galilei, an Italian
astronomer, also started
experimenting on his own.
He improved both the
telescope and microscope
by describing the principles
of lenses and light rays.
Robert Hooke, an
Englishman, also worked with
microscopes and improved
their design and capabilities.
He coined the term “cell” after
observing a cork and saw a
honeycomb structure.
 In Holland, while working with magnifying glasses in a dry
good store, Antoine van Leeuwenhoek became very
interested in lenses. While working, he used the magnifying
glass to count threads in woven cloth.
He was able to make lenses with great curvatures by
grinding and polishing. These lenses are rounder and can
produce greater magnification that can magnify up to 270x.
He became more involved in science and was able to see
bacteria, yeast, blood cells and many tiny animals moving in
a drop of water. He is known as the “Father of Microscopy”
because of his great contributions and many discoveries.
 There are several newly designed microscopes that
provide flexible handling and better illumination and
magnification.
The most commonly used microscope now is light
microscope, which provides a better light source for better
viewing and observation.
 Currently, many significant fields of science
cannot progress without the aid of microscopy.
It is essential in the areas like engineering,
biology, physics and many other areas of
knowledge.
 In engineering, it is used to study the
morphology of the materials so it can be utilized
properly.
In biology, it is used to study tiny objects such as
microorganisms. Studying microscopy can lead to
many discoveries and improvements in life
science.
 A microscope is an instrument that magnifies an
object using lenses. It used to see objects that are
too tiny to be seen by the naked eye. In using a
microscope, it is important to have a good light
source to properly see the specimen being
observed.
 Light microscope uses electricity to light the
bulb. The bulb serves as the source of light.
A compound microscope does not have a light
bulb as the source of light, hence, it does not need
electricity. It uses a mirror to reflect light to the
lenses
 Magnification:
Your microscope has 4 objective lenses.
(1) scanning objective with a magnification of 4x magnification,
(2) low power objective with 10x magnification,
(3) high power objective with 40x magnification, and
(4) oil immersion objective with 100x magnification.
The oil immersion objective is used for viewing microorganisms and
requires technical instructions. You will not use this objective in this
lesson.
The Microscope
Magnification Ocular Lens Total Magnification
Scanning 4x 10x 40x
Objective Lens
Low Power 10x 10x 100x
Objective Lens
High Power 40x 10x 400x
Objective Lens
Oil Immersion 100x 10x 1000x
Objective Lens
Troubleshooting
Sometimes, you may encounter troubles while working with your
microscope. Here are some common problems and solutions:
1. If the image is too dark, adjust the diaphragm. Make sure your
light is on (for light microscope), and the mirror is perfectly angled
to reflect light (for compound microscope).
2. There is a spot in your viewing field even when you move the
slide, the spot stays in the same place. If the case is like this, your
lens are dirty. Use lens paper only in cleaning the objectives and
ocular lens. You can remove the ocular lens to carefully clean it
inside.
Troubleshooting
3. You cannot see anything under high power.
Always remember that if you cannot focus under
scanning objective and then low power, you will
not be able to focus anything under high power.
4. Only half of your viewing field is lit, it looks like
a half moon. Make sure that the objective you
are using is clicked into place.
Troubleshooting
5. If you can see your eyelashes while viewing,
you are too close to the objectives. Try to move
your head back a little.
6. If you start having a headache, try to relax for
a while then try adjusting the ocular distance.
Check the intensity of your light if it is too high or
too low. Take breaks if needed.

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Focus Specimens

Using the Compound

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