Tecnológico de Monterrey

PrepaTec Toluca
Fundamentals of life
PC1004

Practice 1 “The use of the

microscope”
Professor: Bárbara Velazquez

Group: 508

Date of delivery: August 24 2022

Name and y matrículas:

PONDERACIÓN PARA REPORTE DE

PRÁCTICA

Category Points

Flow chart 10 points

Results 40 points

Experimental questionnaire 35 points

Conclusions 10 points

Bibliography 5 points

Total 100 points

Final grade
FLOW CHART (10 POINTS)
It must contain all the steps to be carried out in the practice (you will find this information in
section 4. “Methodology of the practice). The flow chart must be done INDIVIDUALLY by
hand.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This document (the flow chart) and wearing a clean and buttoned
robe, are your entry pass to the laboratory. In case you do not comply with this, you
will not be allowed access to the laboratory, and you will lose the percentage of it.

1. INTRODUCTION
Biological simples can be to small to be observed by the naked eye, that’s the reason we
often use the microscope to see them. They are many types of instruments ranging from
magnifying glass to electronic microscopes. Each one of them has each of them has
magnification elements for different purposes.

Types of microscope:
· The optical microscope uses light rays that are magnified and focused through
the use of lenses of various magnifications.
· The binocular dissection microscope or stereomicroscope was designed to study
objects in three dimensions, with a low magnifying power.
· The compound microscope is used to examine small objects or sections of
objects at a higher magnification than that used by the previous microscope. The
term compound refers to the use of two sets of lenses: the eyepieces, used to
position the eyes; and the objectives, which are placed near the object to be
studied. The lighting comes from below, either through a natural or artificial
source. To improve the contrast of the objects observed, dyes are used that
adhere to the structures by absorbing light.
· The electron microscope uses a stream of electrons that is magnified and
focused on a photographic plate through the use of electromagnets.
· The transmission electron microscope is analogous to the compound light
microscope. The object is cut ultra-thin and treated with heavy metal salts to
improve its contrast.
· The scanning electron microscope is analogous to the stereomicroscope, it
provides an image of the surface and dimensions of an object.

As expected, the images obtained by electron microscopes are of much smaller objects than
those obtained by light microscopy. Now, the difference between these types of microscopes
is not only due to the magnification of objects; resolution is just as important.
 2. OBJECTIVE OF THE LABORATORY PRACTICE
Identify the parts of the microscope and use it appropriately for the identification of biological
structures.

3. MATERIAL AND EQUIPMENT REQUIRED FOR THE PRACTICE:

The material is provided in the laboratory, presenting the TEC ID from a member from a
member of each team.
Team Reagents Maria Jose Gamez.

(2022, February 3). Portada - Desarrollo Sostenible. Desarrollo Sostenible.

https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/es/

A compound microscope Methylene blue

3 coverslip iodine solution
3 slides Distilled water
Microscopic preparations (slides)
Sample of microorganisms

Material that the student/team must bring

2 cotton swabs per team
One small onion per group

Rules for the use of the microscope

1. Always start observing with the 4X objective
2. Do not tilt the microscope when observing a wet sample or fluids
3. Always keep the microscope clean to prevent rust and corrosion
4. Report any malfunction
 4. METHODOLOGY OF THE PRACTICE (PROCEDURE)

Step 1. Identifying the parts of the compound light microscope

1. Once your teacher explains how to carry a microscope, request one to the lab
technician and place it safely on your lab bench. Identify the parts in the
microscope and mark them in the following image, placing the function of each
one.

PARTS OF THE MICROSCOPE

a. Ocular lenses
b. Carrying handle
c. Revolving nosepiece
d. Objetive lens
i. Objetive (4X)
ii. Objetivo de bajo poder (10X)
3. Low power objective (10X)
4. iHigh power objective (40X)
5. Immersion objective (100X)
e. Coarse adjustment
f. Fine adjustment
g. Condenser
h. Condenser apertura lever
i. Light
j. Base
k. Stage

http://www.global-b2b-network.com/direct/dbimage/50215890/Microscope.jpg

· Compare the compound binocular microscope with the dissecting microscope on

the side table in the lab. Identify the differences between the two types of
microscopes and complete the following table:
 Table 1. Differences in microscopes

Type of microscope Number and type of Full magnification

components

Binocular 16 parts: Ocular lens, Dopler 400 X

adjustment, nose piece,
objective lens, stage clip
aperture, diaphragm condenser,
iluminator, head, arm,
mechanical stage, coarse
adjustment, fine adjustment,
stage controls, base, brightness
adjustment, light swiych.

Dissecting 10 parts: eyepieces,diopter, 100X

microscope stereo head, objective lens,
stage plate, stage clip, base,
bottom light, arm, focus knob

Step 2. Focusing the microscope

Move the revolving nosepiece until it is on the 4X objective. You should always start the
structures approach with this goal in mind.

1. With the coarse adjustment, lower the stage until it stops.

2. On the stage, place the slide containing a slide (which will be given to you with
your labware) and adjust it with the holding instrument.
3. Gradually go up the platen with the coarse adjustment until you can see the
content of the slide; be careful not to leave the slide closer than 3mm to the
objective.
4. Once you see the content of the slide, adjust the focus with the fine adjustment.
5. Manage the diaphragm to achieve adequate lighting and obtain the ideal contrast.
6. Using revolving nosepiece switch to the 10X objective.
7. Adjust the focus with the fine adjustment.
8. Now use the 40X objective. Do not use the 100X unless instructed to do so.
9. Move the platen to the right. Where is the observed object moving?
To the right

10. In table 2, write down what you observed with each objective
 Table 2. Differences between what was observed with different objectives.

Objetive Draw what you saw Conclusions

4X It looks kind of small

10X It got bigger, I start to see some shapes

clearly

40X It was more difficult to set, but I got the

clearest view here.

Step 3. Full Magnification

The total magnification of the microscope is calculated by multiplying the magnification of the
eyepieces (10X) by the magnification of the objectives. The amplifying capacity of the
eyepiece lenses is marked on them.
Multiply the power of the eyepieces by that corresponding to each objective to obtain the
total magnification and complete the following table.

Table 3. Full Magnification

Objective type Ocular lens Objetive Total magnification

4X 10 4 40

10X 10 10 100

40X 10 40 400

100X 10 100 1000

Step 4. Microscopic observations

If the material to be observed in the microscope is a wet sample: deposit a drop of the
solution to be observed and, if necessary, a drop of the dye that is suitable for it and then
place a coverslip on top of this preparation, being ready to be observed .

Now, if the material to be observed under the microscope is dry, place it on the slide and add
a drop of water or stain and then place a coverslip on top of this preparation, making it ready
to be observed.

Step 4.1. Observation of epithelial cells (animal cells)

Prepare your sample as follows:

1. Gently slide a cotton swab into the oral cavity of one of your partners (in the
cheek area).
2. Now gently rotate the swab into a slide.
3. Add a drop of methylene blue to the sample.
4. Cover the sample with the coverslip.
5. Look under the microscope with the 4X, 10X and 40X objectives and draw what
you see in table 4.

Table 4. Observation of epithelial cells.

4X 10X 40X

6. The epithelial cells you observed are animal cells. The following image
represents an animal cell; write the name of the structure indicated with the
numbers 1, 2 and 3, respectively, as it corresponds to the nucleus, the cytoplasm
or the plasma membrane of said cell.

Step 4.2. Observation of onion epidermal cells (vegetable cells)

1. Gently sample a thin (transparent) layer of the epidermis from a fresh onion.
 2. Deposit the sample on a slide and add a drop of iodine or methylene blue
solution.
3. Cover with coverslip.
4. Look under the microscope with the 4X, 10X and 40X objectives and draw what
you see in table 5.

Table 5. Observation of onion

4X 10X 40X

5. With what objective do you observe the greatest number of cells? 4x, 10x or
40x?

6. From the following image of a plant cell, locate the cell wall and the nucleus.

7. Indicate the obvious differences between epithelial cells (animals) and onion cells
(vegetables) and list them in Table 6.

Table 6. Differences between human epithelial cells and onion epidermal cells.

Differences Animal ephitheial cells Epidermic onion cells (plant

cells)

Shape cells are sphere shaped. cells look like little bricks.

Presence of cell wall Still a circle Straight lines that encounter

each other although some of
the lines go diagonal and
then become horizontal
 Presence of chloroplasts Chloroplasts are darker Chloroplasts are kind of
than onion chloroplasts transparent but there are
more chloroplasts in onion
cells than in human cells.

Step 4.3.Observation of a microorganism sample.

1. The observation of microorganisms will give you the ability to observe objects
under the microscope, control lighting and contrast.
2. Take a sample of microorganisms and prepare a slide. (slides) depositing a drop of
the solution to be observed and a drop of dye.
3. The slide should now be covered with a coverslip.
4. Look under the microscope with the 4X, 10X and 40X objectives and draw what you
see in table 7 and compare it with the two previous preparations.

Table 7. Observation of microorganism sample

4X 10X 40X

EXPERIMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE
1. What type of microscope would you use to observe parasites in stagnant water? Explain.
I would use the binocular microscope because it can give you a very clear view, so you
would observe more closely the parasites

2. A total magnification of 100X requires the use of a 10X eyepiece with what objective?
10

3. What is the maximum possible magnification of a light microscope?

Around 2000

4. Which part of the microscope regulates the amount of light?

The diaphragm

5. What kind of samples is studied with a stereomicroscope?

Solid samples, like plants, tissue, etc.

6. What are the differences between the observed samples of animal and plant cells?
the shape of the cell is very different, as well as the colour (because of chloroplasts)

7. Research the following about a light microscope:

a. Type of lenses used
the scanning lens (4X). use for see the organisms that are not visible or easy to see with
human eyes as parts of a fly
the low-power lens (10X), the high-power lens (40 X), and the oil-immersion lens (100 X).

b. lighting type
c. Resolution
d. magnification
and. costs
F. Type of observable specimens

CONCLUSIONS:
We certainly had a great practice with the use of the microscope, although I think it could
have been better, as we didn’t have a class to talk about the cell or the use of the
microscope I think it was more difficult to do the practice.
We were able to do it anyway and we even found protist cells.
We learned how to use a microscope correctly.
Work in teams and in a laboratory help us this time for undertand in a little and easy way
how the experts are able to analyze and recognize every single part of the cells or organism
that are around us.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
● What Is The World’s Most Expensive Rifle Scope? (2022).
Microscopemaster.com.
https://www.microscopemaster.com/objective-lenses.html
● Admin. (2022). Q6 List the major differences between a plant cell and an
animal cell... Lidolearning.com; Lido Learning.
https://www.lidolearning.com/questions/bi-bb-selina6-ch3-exsa-q6/q6-list-the-
major-differences-/
● Types of Microscopes. (2015). Retrieved August 23, 2022, from
Cliffsnotes.com website:
https://www.cliffsnotes.com/study-guides/biology/microbiology/microscopy/typ
es-of-microscopes#:~:text=the%20ocular%20lens.-,A%20compound%20light
%20microscope%20often%20contains%20four%20objective%20lenses%3A
%20the,immersion%20lens%20(100%20X).
● W
‌ hat Are the Different Magnifications of Objective Lenses? / ACCU-SCOPE
News & Events. (2020). Retrieved August 23, 2022, from Accu-scope.com
website:
https://accu-scope.com/news/what-are-the-different-magnifications-of-objectiv
e-lenses/#:~:text=Scanning%20Objective%20Lens%20(4x),a%20total%20ma
gnification%20of%2040x.