Cell Size and The Microscope

Student Learning Objectives (SLOs)

1. Identify and state the function of eukaryotic cell parts.
2. Understand the relative size of microscopic cells and structures.
3. Familiarize yourself with the parts of a compound light microscope.
4. Calculate magnification and F.O.V. diameters for each objective lens.
5. Estimate the size of a cheek cell using metric units.

Materials and Equipment

Access to the internet

Key Terms
cell high power objective lens ocular
cell membrane iris diaphragm oil-immersion objective lens
compound light microscope lysosome peroxisome
condenser magnification resolution
contrast mitochondria ribosomes
cytoskeleton microscope rough endoplasmic reticulum
epithelial cell nucleus scanning objective lens
Golgi apparatus objective lens smooth endoplasmic reticulum

Introduction
Biologists often use a light microscope to observe specimens too small to be seen with the unaided eye.
A light microscope magnifies a specimen, meaning that it increases its apparent size. It also increases
resolution, the ability to distinguish two points that are close together. The typical compound light
microscope can increase our ability to see detail by 1,000 times. A specimen can be seen on a microscope
slide only if there is enough contrast. Often cells have little contrast and are difficult to view using a light
microscope. To improve contrast biologist often use stains that bind to cellular structures and absorb light
to provide better contrast.

The compound light microscope has two systems of lenses for greater magnification. The first is the
ocular or eyepiece lens that one looks into with a magnification of 10x and the objective lens with a
magnification of 4x, 10x, 40x, or 100x. The magnification power of each objective is etched on the side
of the lens. The 4x objective lens is also called the scanning objective lens and is used for initial viewing
of a specimen. The 40x objective lens is also called the high power objective lens and 100x is also called
the oil-immersion lens. The use of the oil-immersion objective lens requires more training, so we will not
be using it today.

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After becoming familiar with the parts of a microscope you will use this scientific instrument to look at
several slides. The field of view (F.O.V.) is that area that you can see through the ocular and objective
lens. The larger the magnifying power of an objective lens, the smaller the field of view. We will learn
how to approximate the size of the object being viewed. This will help you have a better appreciation for
the relative sizes of a variety of cells and tissues we will study this semester.

In addition to magnifying organisms, most cells are colorless so many times preparing slides also
involves adding stains (dyes) to color the cells so they are more easily viewed. The slides you will
practice with today are either naturally pigmented or have been stained so we can find them more easily.
Look for these colors as you are focusing the virtual microscope.

THE MICROSCOPE AND YOUR EYES Students often wonder if they should remove their glasses
when using a microscope. If you are nearsighted or farsighted, there is no need to wear your glasses. The
focus adjustments will compensate. If you have astigmatism, however, you should wear your glasses
because microscope lenses do not correct for this problem. You should still wear your glasses when
working with the virtual microscope.

Procedure 1
Cell Organelles
1. Use your textbook or Google to answer the questions in the laboratory report based.

Procedure 2
Cell Size and Scale
1. Go to the following website:
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/cells/scale/
2. Compare the size of a cell with several other objects, molecules and atoms.
3. Click on the square tab located on the scroll bar below the image.
4. Slowing move the tab to the right. Explore the sizes of the objects on the screen.
2. Answer the questions in the laboratory report based on your observations.

Procedure 3
The parts of the compound light microscope
1. Go to http://www.ncbionetwork.org/iet/microscope/.
2. Click on the Guide link (bottom of the home page).
3. Click through the six parts of the Guide, starting with the Introduction. You can use the arrows at
the bottom of the Guide box to guide you through the chapters.
4. When you have completed all six sections, click Close.
5. Next click on the Learn link (bottom of the page), which will take you to an image of a
microscope with question marks.
6. Starting at the top of the microscope, click on the question marks identifying the parts of the
microscope.
7. Read the description of the part of the microscope and take notes as needed.
8. Continue clicking on question marks until all turn to green check marks.
a. Do not forget to click on the question marks for items associated with the microscope.
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 b. You may click on any green check mark to review any part of the microscope.
c. Use the Microscope Parts checklist on the next page to ensure all parts have been
identified.
9. Click on the Next button (bottom right).
10. Start on the left and click on the question mark. When the lens enlarges, click on each question
mark until each turns into a green check mark. Read the descriptions and take notes as needed.
11. Click on the Next button (bottom right).
12. Click on the Dry Slide and Oiled Slide buttons to see the difference in why immersion oil is used
for the 100X objective lens.
13. Click on the Next button (bottom right).
14. Click on the Eyepiece Options and Lens Options to learn about calculating total magnification.
Try all combinations and see how the Letter E slide image changes.
15. Click on the Next button (bottom right) to return to the home page.
16. Answer the provided questions on the next page.

Procedure 4
How to use a compound microscope to view slides
1. Click on the Explore link (bottom of the home page).
2. Click on the question mark on the slide box.
3. In the Slide Catalog, click on the Sample Slides.
4. Click on the Letter E slide. It will automatically be placed on the stage of the microscope.
5. When the Microscope View window opens, make sure that the 4X circle is highlighted in blue.
NOTE: Always begin examining slides with the lowest power objective.
6. Use the slider under Coarse Focus to find the E. NOTE: The coarse adjustment knob should only
be used when you are viewing a specimen with the 4X objective lens.
7. Then use the slider under Fine Focus to make the image “crisp and clear.”
8. You can click on the E in the viewing window to move the image and visualize different parts.
Sketch your view of the letter E at 4X in the results area.
9. Next click on the 10X circle. The nosepiece on the microscope will rotate automatically.
10. Repeat steps 6 – 8 to see part of the E. Sketch your view of the letter E at 10X in the results area.
11. Click on the 40X circle and repeat steps 7 & 8. You may need to use the slider under Light
Adjustment for better visualization. Sketch your view of the letter E at 40X in the results area.
Click on the 100X circle. A notice to add immersion oil will open.
12. Click on the question mark on the immersion oil bottles to add oil to the microscope.
13. Repeat steps 7 & 8. You may need to use the slider under Light Adjustment again for better
visualization. Sketch your view of the letter E at 100X in the results area.
14. When you have visualized the Letter E slide using all 4 objective lenses, click on Remove Slide
(top right).
15. Read the notice about using lens paper to clean the immersion oil off the microscope and click on
the question mark over the lens paper. Choose wisely!
16. Click on the Main button (bottom left corner) to return to the home page.

Procedure 5
Knowledge Check
1. Click on the Test button (bottom of home page).
2. In the Challenge Mode window, click on Care & Usage link and answer the questions.
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 3. If you get a 75% or better, click Choose Test. If you do not get a 75% or better, click Try Again.
4. Next choose the Calculating Magnification link and repeat #3.
5. Then choose the Terminology link and repeat #3.
6. Click on the Main button (bottom left corner) to return to the home page.

Procedure 6
Calculating the size of a cell
1. Follow the directions in the lab report and calculate the size of the objects found in the field of
view.

As with every laboratory exercise, please read the directions carefully before you begin. Complete the
laboratory report as you work through the procedures. Please note that each student will be expected to
turn in a separate lab report.

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LAB REPORT Name: ___Daniel Fawcett___________________

Cell Size and The Microscope

Procedure 1
Cell Organelles – use your textbook as needed
1. What is the function of the cytoskeleton?

______It gives shape to the cell, like a skeleton does for a person__________

2. What is the function of nucleus? ______contain DNA_______

3. What is the function of mitochondria? ______to provide energy, also responsible for regulating
metabolic activity of the cell_______________________

4. What is the function of rough ER? ___________to make

protein_____________________________________

5. What is the function of smooth ER? _____to synthesize lipids and detoxify the
cell_______________________________________________

6. What is the function of Golgi apparatus? _________transporting, modifying and packaging proteins
and lipids into vesicles for delivery to targeted destinations_______________

7. What is the function of lysosomes? _______to help with cell metabolism by ingesting and dissolving
unwanted parts of the cell______

8. What is the function of ribosomes? _________responsible for protein

synthesis____________________

Procedure 2
Cell Size and Scale
1. What is the approximate size of a skin cells? ______30______ µm

2. What is the approximate size of a human egg? _____130___ µm

3. What is the approximate size of a lysosome? ______1__ µm

4. What is the approximate size of a hemoglobin molecule? __6.5___ nm

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5. What is the approximate size of a glucose molecule? __900___ pm

Procedure 3
The parts of the compound light microscope
1. What is the proper way to carry a microscope?

Using your dominant hand, hold firmly the arm of the micoscope and one hand on the base

2. What is the typical magnification of an ocular lens? What other magnifications are possible?
Ocular lens is 10x, other magnifications are 5x, 15x and 20x

3. What are the magnification abilities of each of the objective lenses?

Scanning (small lens), red ring = 4x
Low-power (medium lens), yellow ring = 10x
High-power (large lens), blue ring = 40x
Oil immersion (largest lens), white ring = 100x

4. What is the total magnification with each objective?

Scanning (small lens), red ring =40x
Low-power (medium lens), yellow ring =100x
High-power (large lens), blue ring =400x
Oil immersion (largest lens), white ring =1000x

5. Why do you use immersion oil with 100X objective lens?

The use of immersion oil is to not allow light to escape and be fully drawn to the lens of the
microscope. This helps the 100x to achieve its magnification

6. What is the total magnification of a sample with an ocular lens power of 10X and using a 40X objective lens?
400x

7. What is the function of the diaphragm?

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Procedure 6
Calculating the size of a cell

Example:
The field of view F.O.V. when using the 5X objective is 5 mm.
If 5 cells extend across the F.O.V., then we can calculate the size
of an individual cell using the following:

diameter of F.O.V. = size of an individual cell 5 mm

# of cells across that fit across
5X Objective
5 mm = 1 mm therefore each cell is 1 mm long. 5 cells across
5 cells

1. The field of view F.O.V. when using the 10X objective is 2.0 mm. If 7 cells extend across the
F.O.V., calculate the size of an individual cell?

2 mm
0.2857mm long
10X Objective
7 cells across

2. The field of view F.O.V. when using the 40X objective is 0.4 mm. If 3 cells extend across the
F.O.V., calculate the size of an individual cell?

0.133mm
0.4 mm
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40X Objective
3 cells across
 Follow Up Thought Questions
1. Go to Google and do a search for cheek cells. Click on images for cheek cells to see all
the images Google has found.

a. What do all of these images have in common?

All the cells have round or petal like structures with dots (nucleus) in the center.

b. How do the cells vary from one picture to the next?

Some have more or less little specs(bacteria) or will have different colors.

c. Why are the Google images of cheek cells different colors?

The color is difference in contrast. Some are dark contrast (blue) others can be using differential
interference contrast (pink). Each contrasts (color) have different uses for study.

d. What is the natural color of a cheek cell?

Cheek cells are clear

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