Science - Grade 7 The Compound Microscope

I. Introductory Concept

Have you ever looked through a microscope? What did you see? Did you ever have a
hands – on experience with a microscope? Who were the people who contributed to the
development of this instrument? It would have been exciting seeing objects that were
invisible before.

A microscope is an instrument that makes small objects look larger. Its invention had
opened us to a new horizon beyond the limitation of our naked eyes. It reveals to us the
mysteries of what lies in the tiniest details of our surroundings. It serves as the research tool
that brings us much information about the cell and microorganisms and helps improve our
lives, especially in medicine.

II. Learning Competency

Identify parts of the microscope and their functions. (S7LT-IIa-1)
Objectives: At the end of the learning packet, you should be able to:
 name the scientists who have contributed to the historical development of
microscopes;
 identify the parts and functions of a compound microscope; and
 appreciate the importance of the microscope in science and
technology.

III. Activities

The microscope is an instrument used to magnify objects too small to be seen with our
unaided eyes. It is a very important tool in the study of life science because much of the
information about living things’ structure and how they function was revealed when
microscope was invented. Biologists use it to study objects or organisms (even the parts of
organisms) invisible to the naked eye. The science of investigating objects that cannot be
seen by the naked eye with the use of microscope is known as Microscopy.

Before familiarizing with the different parts and functions of the compound
microscope, it is necessary to be familiar with and appreciate those who have contributed to
its development. Who were these people?

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 The table below summarizes the highlights of the development of the microscope
and the scientists who played very important part in its development.

Table 1: Scientists Who Contributed in the Development of Microscopes

Illustrator: Francis S. Durante
Timeline of Development of Microscopes
Scientist Year Contribution

They started experimenting

Zacharias Jansen
using lenses; they made a very
1590 important invention – a
compound microscope.

Hans Jansen

He used his improved compound

microscope and discovered tiny
1665 compartments in a thin slice of
cork which he later called
“cells”.

Robert Hooke

He made use of a simple light

microscope. He was the first to
observe bacteria, yeasts, red blood
cells, and described colonies of
1668
protozoans teeming in a drop of
rainwater which he called
“animalcules”. He is also the father of
Anton van Microscopy.
Leeuwenhoek

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 A. Directions:
Searching for the hidden words with your eyes and later identifying them is just like
looking through a microscope. You scan the box for every letter so you can form a word just
like the way you look for details of the specimen you are studying under a microscope.
Complete the crossword puzzle below. Refer your answers to the hints written as a guide.
Write one letter per box and allot one box to give space for word after word.
1

Across
2
2. He used his improved
compound microscope in 1665
and discovered tiny
compartments in a thin slice of
cork.
3. It is a precision instrument and
commonly used tool by scientists in
studying objects or organisms or
even parts of organisms that are
invisible or slightly visible to the
naked eye.
4. He was the first to observe
bacteria, yeasts, red blood cells, and
described colonies of protozoans
teeming in a drop of rainwater.

Down

1.They started experimenting using

lenses; they have made a
very important invention - a 3
compound light microscope.

EclipseCrossword.com

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 A compound microscope is a type of microscope that uses visible light to illumine the
object being observed. It consists of two optical parts, the ocular lens in the eyepiece and the
objective lens. The eyepiece lens commonly magnifies 10x. This means that any object you
will see with this lens will be magnified 10 times. Usually, a compound microscope contains
two objective lenses. They are the low power objective (LPO) and high power objective
(HPO) lenses with 10x and 40x magnification, respectively. Magnification is the process of
causing an image to appear larger than it really is.

The parts of a Compound Microscope can be categorized into three, namely:

a. THE ILLUMINATING PARTS are the parts responsible for the supply of light.
These are the mirror, diaphragm and the ocular/ eyepiece.

b. THE MAGNIFYING PARTS are the parts that enlarge the object once seen under the
microscope. They are the ocular lens and the objective lenses. The objective lenses
are the scanner, the low power objective (LPO) and the high power objective (HPO).
Under LPO, the object being viewed shows the entire outline of the specimen. On the
other hand, once HPO is used, the object being viewed shows the detailed structure of
the specimen.
There are three types of objectives. These are:

 Scanner - usually marked 4x, combined with the eyepiece lens, will provide
the lowest magnification power;
 Low power objective- usually marked 10x, most helpful in analyzing
glass slide samples; and
 High power objective- longer than the LPO and usually marked 40x or 60x,
used to focus on a specific part of the specimen.

c. THE MECHANICAL PARTS are responsible to hold and support the structural
components of the microscope. These are the base, arm, body tube, stage, stage clips,
adjustment screws and the revolving nosepiece.
Since we cannot manipulate an actual microscope, let us read on and understand the
function of each part on the given table. Use the labeled illustration of compound microscope
in the previous activity to guide you as we navigate through each part.
Table 1: Parts and Functions of the Compound Microscope
PARTS FUNCTIONS
It contains the magnifying lens where you look through
EYEPIECE/ OCULAR which usually provides a 10x or a 15x magnification. It
LENS allows viewer to see the magnified image of the
specimen.
It connects the eyepiece to the revolving nosepiece
BODY TUBE with the objectives.
ARM It supports the body tube and connects it to the

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 base. It is where the microscope is held.
It reflects the light upward through the diaphragm, the
specimen, and the lenses.

MIRROR Look through the eyepiece and with the concave

mirror (with depression) facing up, move it until you
see a bright circle of light. The bright circle of light is
called the field of view of the microscope.
It regulates the amount of light that goes into the body
tube and reaches the specimen. The size of the openings
DIAPHRAGM differs. The amount of light reflected also changes where
the bigger the opening, the
greater is the amount of light reflected.
It supports the slide containing the specimen being
viewed. The slide mounted on the stage can be moved
STAGE
from side to side until the specimen comes into view.

STAGE CLIP It holds the slide in place.

It holds the objective lens and facilitates the changing of
the desired objective to its position. It is movable hence it
REVOLVING NOSEPIECE can rotate the objective lenses depending on the
magnification power of the lens that you are going to use.

It moves the tube and lower power objective (LPO) lens

closer or farther away from the stage to view the image
of the specimen. Turning the coarse adjustment knob
COARSE ADJUSTMENT
upwards and downwards raises and lowers the body
KNOB
tube with the objectives,
respectively. It also focuses or brings out the object to be
observed.
It brings an image of the specimen into fine focus
showing the detailed parts of the specimen while using
FINE ADJUSTMENT KNOB the high power objective (HPO) lens. It is being turned
slowly until the specimen comes into
view.
These are the scanner, low power objective (LPO) and
high power objective (HPO) that magnify the image of
the specimen. The objectives are attached to the
revolving nosepiece. The low power objective (LPO) is
marked with either 10x or 15x and shorter in length. The
OBJECTIVE LENS
high power objective (HPO) is longer and is usually
marked 40x.The x represents how many times the object
being viewed under the
microscope was magnified. For example, 10x means: the
object was magnified 10 times its size.
It provides support and serves as a stand of the
BASE microscope.
It is the joint that connects the arm and the base of
INCLINATION JOINT the microscope. It enables the microscope to be tilted
to view the specimen while the viewer is

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 sitting.

Figure1: Reference: Science Learner’s Material Grade 7 p. 110

B. Direction: Based on the given functions, identify the part of the microscope being
described. Write your answer on the space provided for.
Parts Functions
It contains the magnifying lens you look through. It also
magnifies the object that is being magnified by the objective.
It maintains the proper distance between the eyepiece and the
objectives.
It connects the eyepiece to the revolving nosepiece with the
objectives.
It holds the objective lens and facilitates the changing of
objectives to its desired position
It is the adjustment knob that moves, raises or lowers the body tube
with the objectives, respectively. It also focuses or brings out the
object to be observed.
It supports the body tube and it is where the microscope is
held.
It supports the slide being viewed while the clips hold the slide in
place.
It allows one to tilt the microscope, so viewing is possible while
seated.
It regulates the amount of light reflected to the object to be
viewed.
It reflects light up to the diaphragm, the object to be observed

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 and lenses.
It provides support to the microscope.
It is the lens attached to the revolving nosepiece which provides
magnification.
C. Direction: Using any coloring material, color each part of the microscope by
following the coloring guide below:

Figure 2: Compound Microscope

Illustrator: Carlo Magno P. Pamorada

PARTS COLOR GUIDE

eyepiece holder green
Mirror white
Base brown
body tube red
diaphragm violet
Stage pink
Arm blue
fine adjustment knob gray

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 inclination joint black
revolving nosepiece Yellow green
coarse adjustment knob yellow
objectives orange

Evaluation:
I. Directions: Identify what is asked or described in each item then write the letter of the
correct answer on the space provided for. Refer your answer to the diagram below:
A

B
E

C D

F
M
G
H

I
J
K

1. Which two parts of a compound microscope magnify the image of an object?

a. parts A and F b. parts A and G c. parts D and F d. parts J and K
2. What part will you adjust if the onion cell you are observing under HPO is not clear?
a. part B b. part C c. part E d. part J
3. Which part supports the entire weight of a microscope?
a. part B b. part H c. part I d. part L
4. Which part is responsible for the supply of light in a compound microscope?
a. part D b. part F c. part J d. part K
5. You scan a specimen under a compound microscope using low power objective
(LPO). What part of the microscope will you use to move the body tube up and down?
a. part C b. part E c. part F d. part M

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II – Direction: Identify each part. Write the name of the parts of compund micrscope. Refer
your answer to the diagram above.
NAME OF THE PARTS OF THE COMPOUND
PART MICROSCOPE
B
D
I
K
M

IV. Rubrics for Scoring (as applicable)

S
C
CRITERIA 5 4 3 2 1 O
R
E
All the Only three Only two Only one
parts of the parts of the parts of the parts of the
learning learning learning learning There is
Completeness activity activity activity activity no
sheets sheets sheets sheets were answer.
were were were answered.
answered. answered. answered.
Note: (This is intended for Activity C)

V. Answer Key
A. 1. Zacharias and Hans Jansen
2. Robert Hooke
3. microscope
4. Anton van Leeuwenhoek

B.
Parts Functions
It contains the magnifying lens you look through. It
eyepiece also magnifies the object that is being magnified by
the objective.
It maintains the proper distance between the
eyepiece and the objectives.
Body tube
It connects the eyepiece to the revolving nosepiece with
the objectives.
It holds the objective lens and facilitates the
Revolving nosepiece
changing of objectives to its desired position
It is the adjustment knob that moves, raises or lowers the
body tube with the objectives, respectively.
Coarse adjustment
It also focuses or brings out the object to be

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 observed.
It supports the body tube and it is where the
Arm
microscope is held.
It supports the slide being viewed while the clips
stage
hold the slide in place.
It allows one to tilt the microscope, so viewing is
Inclination joint
possible while seated.
It regulates the amount of light reflected to the object to
diaphragm
be viewed.
It reflects light up to the diaphragm, the object to be
mirror
observed and lenses.
base It provides support to the microscope.
It is the lens which provides magnification that is
objectives
attached to the revolving nosepiece.

C. Use the rubrics stated for scoring the coloring the microscope activity
on page 8.

Evaluation:

I. 1. A 2. C 3. D 4. D 5. B

II.
NAME OF THE PARTS OF THE
PART
MICROSCOPE
B Body tube
D Revolving nosepiece
I Inclination joint
K mirror
M arm

VI. Reflection
Write your reflection on the space provided for. Complete the following sentence
prompts.

I have learned that …

I wish to ask my teacher …

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VII. References

BEAM II.1 Nature of Biology. Tools in Biology. April 2009, pp. 21-37 BIOLOGY,
MODULE I, Nature of Biology, PROJECT EASE, pp. 12-15
Eclipse Crossword (July, 2020), EclipseCrossword.com, p. 5 Durante,
Francis S. (June, 2019), Anton van Leeuwenhoek, p. 11 Durante,
Francis S. (June, 2019), Robert Hooke, p. 11
Durante, Francis S. (June, 2019), Zacharias and Hans Jansen, p. 11
Goldsmith, Cynthia S. and Miller, Sarah E. “Modern Uses of Electron Microscopy for
Detection of Viruses” American Society of Microbiology – Clinical Microbiology
Reviews 2009 Oct; 22 08/09/2020 5:00PM
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2772359/
Mabini, Sarah Jane B. (June, 2019), Daily Lesson Plan, Regional Office V, Rawis, Legazpi
City
Madriaga, E.A. et al., 2015 Science Links: Worktext for Scientific and Technological
Literacy pp. 96-97
Microscopy. 6/ 26/ 2020 11:30 AM Retrieved from
H4sIAAAAAAAAAONgecS4jZFb4OWPe8JSaxgnrTl5jXEpIxdPeEZiiWexa15JZk
mlkAoXG5QlxcUjxaGfq29gUmmZrcEgxcUF5yllG8XvujTtHFukIAMQOPAHOUh
pKglzcYQkVuTn5edWgoUZGD7YKwlxsXsW
Microscopy. Science direct. 03/07/2020 1:02 PM Retrieved from
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/microscopy
NSTIC Science Manual, Biology Science Manual 413M.27b.Microscope.
NSTIC Science Manual. Biology Science Manual 413M.4. The Compound
Microscope.
Pamorada, Carlo Magno P. (June, 2019), Compound Microscope, p. 12
Sapalaran, Clarie Vie C. (2020), Let’s Check Your Performance Rubric, Schools
Division Office of Ligao City
Science and Technology II: Biology Textbook. NISMED.2012. pp.12-15. Science and
Technology II: Biology Textbook. NISMED. 2004. pp. 12-15
SDO Ligao City Development Team

Writer:
SARAH JANE B. MABINI, Ligao National High School

Language Editors:
MARYLOU V. ARGAMOSA, Palapas Elementary School

__________________________________.
Content Editors:
SARAH JANE MABINI, Ligao National High School
MARISSA O. CO, Ligao National High School
JOCELYN P. NAVERA, Education Program Supervisor

Layout Artist:
KENNETH M. DE LA FUENTE, Deogracias P. Princesa Memorial High School

QUALITY ASSURANCE TEAM (VALIDATORS)

MANUEL LUIS F. TEODORO, EPS I SDO Masbate Province
MARNEL M. BULLO, CNHS

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