Microsope
Microsope
Microsope
Introduction
In this laboratory you will be learning how to use one of the most important tools in biology the compound light microscope to view a variety of specimens. You will also use a slightly different type of light microscope called a stereoscopic dissecting microscope. The first lens used to magnify things was developed in the first century A.D. These were pieces of glass shaped in a convex form thicker in the middle and tapering off to the sides and were the first magnifying glasses that could increase the image of an object about 10 20 X. The creation of glass lenses improved dramatically at the end of the 16th century, vastly improving the magnifying power. By 1609, Galileo Galilei refined the methods of lens making in an effort to view objects in the sky. About half a century later, the Dutchman Anton van Leeuwenhoek further improved the art of lens making, allowing him to view objects in pond water that had never been viewed by humans microorganisms life at a tiny level. At the same time, an English physicist named Robert Hooke improved the technology of van Leeuwenhoek and confirmed the existence of tiny organisms in pond water. He also famously examined a piece of cork and observed tiny boxes arranged in such a way that they looked like the cells (rooms) in a monastery if you removed the roof and looked in from above. Today the best compound light microscopes are able to magnify objects up to 2,500X without losing their resolution the sharpness of the image itself.
Part 1: THE COMPOUND LIGHT MICROSCOPE The Parts of the Compound Light Microscope
Exercise 1A Getting familiar with the microscope
You will first get acquainted with the major parts of the compound light microscope before learning the proper way to use it. Get a microscope from the cabinet below your lab bench, being sure to handle it by the arm and base (refer to image on page 2), and place it on the bench in front of you. Remove the cover and place it below, out of the way, and then plug in the microscope. The ocular lens (eyepiece) and stage should be facing you. Read the description of each part of your microscope on the next two pages being sure to follow all instructions, and then complete the matching exercise on your worksheet.
OCULAR LENS (eyepiece) Your microscope will have either one (monocular) or two (binocular) ocular lenses. These are the lenses you will look through when examining a specimen with the microscope. Take a look at the side of your ocular lens and you will notice a label of 10X. This indicates that each ocular lens magnifies the image by a factor of 10 or 10X. OBJECTIVE LENSES Notice the set of objective lenses on the revolving nosepiece. These lenses allow you to change the degree of magnification. Some of our microscopes have four objective lenses while others have only three. The degree of magnification for each objective lens is indicated on its side. Lets take a look at each progressing from the shortest to longest objective lenses, being sure to rotate the revolving nosepiece to click each objective lens into position above the stage before examining it: 4X This objective magnifies the image by a factor of 4. It is referred to as the scanning objective since it is used to scan the slide to locate the specimen before viewing it at higher magnification. Your microscope may not have this objective lens, in which case you can begin with the 10X objective. 10X This objective magnifies the image by a factor of 10 and is referred to as the low power objective. 40X This objective magnifies the image by a factor of 40 and is referred to as the high power objective. 100X This objective magnifies the image by a factor of 100. It is referred to as the oil immersion objective since it requires a drop of immersion oil on the slide to provide good resolution. You will not be using this objective lens. For now, make sure that the low power objective is clicked into position above the stage, and keep in mind that you will only be using the low power and high power objectives. Also keep in mind that the total magnification of any image you see through the ocular lens is the product of the objective and ocular lens magnifications (for example, when using the lower power lens the total magnification is: 10X ocular x 10X low power objective = 100X).
STAGE and STAGE CLIP The stage is the flat surface upon which you will place each slide you will examine. Notice that there is a moveable stage clip that can be used to secure the slide on the stage. Open and close the stage clip to see how it will snugly hold your slide in position. MECHANICAL STAGE KNOBS To move the slide on the stage when it is secured in the stage clip, you will use the mechanical stage knobs on the underside of the stage to move the slide backward/forward and right/left. Adjust each knob to see how one knob controls backward/forward movement and the other knob controls right/left movement. COARSE FOCUS and FINE FOCUS KNOBS In order for a specimen on a slide to be in focus, the distance between the specimen and the objective lens must be just right. The coarse focus knob, the larger of the two, will move the stage or objective lens (depending on the microscope) up and down quickly and quite visibly, altering the distance between them. It is very important that the coarse focus knob is only used with the low power or scanning objective lenses, otherwise the microscope or objective lenses could be damaged. Adjust the coarse focus knob to observe how quickly the focal distance changes. In contrast, the fine focus knob will move the stage or objective lens such a small amount that it is hardly noticeable to the naked eye. This is the knob you will use to get the perfect focal distance so the image will be crystal clear. CONDENSER LENS Just underneath the stage is the condenser lens. This lens serves to capture and focus light from the lamp below onto the slide mounted on the stage. On many microscopes the condenser lens can be adjusted up or down with a knob beneath the stage. Examine the condenser on your microscope to see if it is adjustable. If so, be sure to adjust it as high (close to the stage) as possible since, for our purposes, this is where it should be set. DIAPHRAGM The diaphragm is located within the condenser and is one of the most important pieces of the microscope, though it is often neglected by many students. The diaphragm allows you to adjust the amount of light passing through the slide by adjusting the diaphragm lever. Most of the time the diaphragm will be all the way open to allow the maximum passage of light. However it is important to adjust the diaphragm at times to reduce the amount of light passing through your specimen should the image be too bright or dim, and also to increase the contrast to allow you to see the specimen more easily against the background. For now, open the diaphragm all the way, and when using the microscope , do not forget to use the diaphragm. LAMP The lamp emits light to illuminate the specimen so that you can actually see something. BASE and ARM The base is the bottom of the microscope that sits on the table, and the arm is the vertical framework ascending from the base along the back of the microscope. When handling the microscope always hold the arm while supporting the base with your other hand .
Step 1. Get a slide of the letter e from the tray on the side counter. This an example of a prepared slide, a slide that is already made for you and meant to be reused. (i.e., dont dispose of it, please return it to the tray when you are finished!) Step 2. Use a piece of lens paper to clean any smudges (fingerprints, grease, etc.) off the slide. Place the slide on a white piece of paper find the specimen (the letter e) on the slide with your naked eye, noticing its location and orientation. Step 3. Lock the low power objective lens into place (it should snap into place) if you have not already done so. You will always (always, always, always) start with either the low power or scanning objective when you want to view a slide. Step 4. Use the coarse focus knob to move the stage (or objective lens) so that they are as far apart from each other as possible. Open the stage clip and place the slide snugly in the corner of the stage clip (make sure the slide is completely flat) before releasing the clip to hold the slide firmly in place. Then use the mechanical stage knobs to position the slide so that the specimen (i.e., letter e) is centered over the condenser and the light that passes through it. Step 5. Next, using the coarse focus knob once again, move the slide and objective lens as close together as the knob will allow. (NOTE: To this point, you have not yet looked into the oculars. This may be surprising, but this is the proper way to use a microscope so that you will actually see something!) Step 6. Now, look into the ocular lens(es). Using the coarse focus knob, SLOWLY increase the distance between the slide and objective until the specimen is in focus. If the light is too intense, adjust the diaphragm lever (or dial near the lamp if present) until the light level is comfortable before trying to locate the specimen. If you have difficulty locating and focusing on your specimen (the letter e), make sure that it is properly centered and you may need to adjust the course focus more slowly. If you still cant locate it, ask your instructor for assistance. Step 7. Adjust the diaphragm lever so there is sufficient contrast between the specimen and the background, closing it no more than is necessary. This step is especially important for live specimens since you may not be able to see them otherwise. Step 8. Now use the fine focus knob to get the specimen in proper focus. You should now be able to see the object clearly. Before going to the next step (increasing the magnification), be sure to center your specimen in the field of view as best you can. Step 9. Now that you have centered and focused the object as best you can at low power, rotate the high power objective into place over the slide being sure it clicks into position. Use the fine focus knob (NOT the coarse focus) to bring the object into perfect focus. (NOTE AGAIN: You should only use the coarse adjustment knob with the low power objective) FOLLOW THESE STEPS EVERY TIME YOU WANT TO VIEW A NEW SLIDE AND YOU WILL BECOME A GOOD MICROSCOPIST!
Total Magnification
The total magnification of an image is quite simple it is the product of the ocular lens magnification times the magnification of the objective lens you are using: magnification of ocular x magnification of objective = total magnification For example, if the ocular lens magnifies the image by a factor of 10 (10X), and the objective lens magnifies the image by a factor of 50 (50X), the total magnification of the image is 500X: 10X x 50X = 500X Many students make the mistake of adding the two magnifications, so remember that total magnification is the product (multiplication) of the ocular and objective lens magnifications.
A good analogy is to imagine yourself viewing the Earth from space as you gradually move closer and closer to Mission College. Initially your field of view is the entire western hemisphere, but as you approach the Earths surface your field of view will progressively shrink to encompass the western United States, Southern California, the San Fernando Valley, Sylmar, etc. Although your field of view is shrinking, the image in your field of view is becoming increasingly magnified. This is really no different than looking into your microscope at increasing levels of magnification. It is also useful to know the diameter of the field of view (FOV diameter) at a particular magnification, since you can use this information to estimate the size of the specimen you are viewing. The FOV diameter at low power for your microscope (100X) is ~1.8 mm. Using this FOV diameter, you can calculate the FOV diameter at other magnifications. This is done by multiplying by the ratio of the magnifications: known FOV diameter x total mag. (known FOV) = unknown FOV diameter total mag. (unknown FOV)
If you want to know the FOV diameter at 500X, you could calculate it as follows: 1.8 mm x 100X/500X = 1.8 mm x 1/5 = 0.36 mm = 360 m
Once you know the FOV diameter, you can estimate the dimensions of your specimen. For example, assume you are viewing the specimen below at 500X total magnification and, based on your calculation above, you know FOV diameter to be 360 m. It appears that ~4 of your specimens would fit across the FOV end to end (i.e., length = 1/4 of FOV), and ~10 side to side (i.e., width = 1/10 of FOV). Thus you would estimate the dimensions of your specimen to be:
500X
500X
500X
In this example, the image will look blurry when viewed at high power magnification no matter what you do. To get a focused image in this case you will have to increase the depth of focus and thus lower the magnification. To help you understand and appreciate the concept of depth of focus, complete the exercises that follow:
Prokaryotic Cell
Notice that a prokaryotic cell does not have any distinct internal compartments. This does not mean that prokaryotic cells have no internal organization, they simply do not have any structures we refer to as organelles. In contrast, animal and plant cells contain a variety of organelles. Take a moment to review the functions of the various cell structures and organelles shown and then complete the next exercise on your worksheet:
STRUCTURE/ORGANELLE FUNCTION
plasma membrane cell wall capsule flagellum nucleus endoplasmic reticulum Golgi apparatus mitochondria chloroplast central vacuole centrioles ribosomes
barrier between inside/outside of cell extracellular structure that protects and supports cell protective gelatinous outer layer of some prokaryotes large cellular extension used for motility organelle containing the genetic material (DNA) synthesis of lipids, proteins in secretory pathway modification, sorting of secretory pathway proteins organelle in which cellular respiration occurs organelle in which photosynthesis occurs storage of water and other materials in plant cells structures involved in animal cell division small structures that carry out protein synthesis
Now that you are well acquainted with the structures and organelles found in cells, you will use your microscope to observe cells of organisms in most of the major groupings. The most comprehensive groupings are the domains, of which there are three: the Bacteria, Archaea and Eukarya. All species in the domains Bacteria and Archaea are single-celled prokaryotes. Until recently, the bacteria and archaea were grouped into a single kingdom called Monera. However, research in the last few decades has revealed that these organisms, though similar in microscopic appearance, are vastly different in DNA sequence and physiology. As a result they are now placed into entirely different domains. The domain Eukarya consists of all eukaryotes i.e., organisms made of cells with a nucleus and other organelles. Within the domain Eukarya are the four traditional kingdoms still in use: Protista, Fungi, Plantae and Animalia.
Let us now take a look at cells from organisms in these major groups.
Bacteria
By far the most abundant organisms on our planet are the single-celled prokaryotes known as the bacteria and archaea. Since archaea are very difficult to culture in a laboratory setting, the only prokaryotes you will observe are bacteria. You will observe two species of bacteria, one having a round or coccus shape and the other having a rod or bacillus shape. Since bacteria are much smaller than eukaryotic cells, you will need to observe them at 1000X under the oil immersion lens in order to see them clearly.
Protozoa
The kingdom Protista consists of two general types of eukaryotic organisms: the protozoa and the algae. The protozoa (literally before animals) are single-celled eukaryotes that have animal-like qualities, whereas the algae are photosynthetic organisms that do not have the features of true plants. In the next exercise, you will observe a variety of live protozoa as you learn how to prepare your own wet mounts of these organisms:
Yeast
The kingdom Fungi includes multicellular fungi such as molds and mushrooms, as well as singlecelled fungi which are collectively known as the yeasts. Yeasts are immensely important to humanity. They are essential for producing certain foods and beverages (e.g., bread, beer, wine, chocolate), and have allowed scientists to effectively study the nature of eukaryotic cells and to produce commercial medicines such as insulin for diabetics. In the next exercise you will look at the species of yeast commonly referred to as bakers yeast or brewers yeast: Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Plant Cells
The kingdom Plantae includes organisms such as mosses and ferns as well as the familiar conebearing plants (Gymnosperms) and flowering plants (Angiosperms). All plants are multicellular and sustain themselves by the process of photosynthesis. Most plants have distinct organs and tissues consisting of different cell types. Despite their differences, most plant cells have the same basic structures as illustrated on page 9. For the next exercise, you will observe live plant cells in a leaf from the aquatic plant Elodea:
Animal Cells
All species in the kingdom Animalia are multicellular, consisting of a wide variety of organs, tissues and cell types. Like the protists, fungi and plants, animals belong to the domain Eukarya since their cells have a nucleus and other organelles as shown in the diagram on page 9. The animal cells you will observe today will actually be your own (Yes, you are a member of the kingdom Animalia!).
Your dissecting microscope contains a single focus knob and two different light sources controlled by knobs on either side of the arm of your microscope. Turn them on and you will notice that one light source is below the stage and the other is above the stage. The light below the stage produces light that will pass through a transparent specimen, what we call transmitted light. The light above the stage produces light that will bounce or reflect off the specimen. We refer to this as reflected light, which is used to illuminate a non-transparent specimen from above.
You will first examine some 3-dimensional biological objects to get used to using the dissecting microscope, and then you will examine some samples of the fruit fly Drosophila. Drosophila has been an incredibly valuable organism for over a century in the study of genetic inheritance and embryological development.
LABORATORY 3 WORKSHEET
Exercise 1A Parts of the compound microscope
Write the correct label for each part of the microscope shown below:
YOUR MICROSCOPE
objective lens name scanning low power high power oil immersion objective lens magnification total magnification
5X 5X 10X 20X
Draw and estimate the length of a single Euglena (high power) and Paramecium (low power): Paramecium
total magnification ______ FOV diam. _____m length _______ m
Euglena
total magnification _____ FOV diam. ____ m length _______ m
Match each cell structure/organelle on the left with its function on the right:
____ nucleus ____ endoplasmic reticulum ____ Golgi apparatus ____ mitochondrion ____ chloroplast ____ plasma membrane ____ cell wall ____ capsule ____ flagellum ____ ribosome ____ centriole ____ central vacuole A. modification, sorting of proteins B. where cellular respiration occurs C. gelatinous outer layer of prokaryotic cells D. small structure that carries out protein synthesis E. projection used for motility F. synthesis of lipids, secretory pathway proteins G. stores water and other materials in plant cells H. contains the genetic material (DNA) I. where photosynthesis occurs J. provides external support/structure in some cells K. barrier between inside/outside of cell L. plays an important role in cell division
Place a check mark or X indicating a structure/organelle is present in the indicated cell type:
CELL TYPE nucleus endoplasmic reticulum Golgi apparatus mitochondrion chloroplast central vacuole plasma membrane cell wall capsule
Exercise 3B Bacteria
Draw samples of each of the two types of bacterial cells seen in the microscope, and be sure your drawing represents the arrangement of cells as well as cell shape. Describe the arrangement of the round bacteria (cocci) relative to each other.
Describe the arrangement of the rod-shaped bacteria (bacilli) relative to each other.
total magnification 1000X
Exercise 3C Protozoa
Draw samples of live Paramecium and Euglena as seen in the microscope Euglena Paramecium
Exercise 3D Yeast
Draw samples of yeast cells seen in the microscope, and be sure to identify and label the cell nucleus.