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Exercise #3-1 Introduction to the light microscope

I.

II.

Purpose: (This is the goal or objective of the lab. exercise. You can get the
purpose from the section called In this exercise from your lab. manual and
the handouts provided by the instructor. To write the purpose ask yourself:
Why am I doing this exercise? What do I want to learn or prove?)
A. Learn to identify the parts of the microscope and the function of each.
B. Understand the concept of magnification, resolution, working distance and
numerical aperture.
C. Understand the relationship of magnification with working distance.
D. Become familiar with the operation and limitations of our light
microscopes.
E. Learn to examine actual specimens.
Hypothesis: (This is a prediction or an educated guess, based on the purpose
of the experiment, ask yourself: What do you predict will happen, after
reading theory behind experiment? What do I expect my results to be? The
answer to this will be found through the reading of the theory. Before you
begin an experiment you should know what the results should be based on the
knowledge you have.)
A. If we learn how to properly use the microscope and its true that the
microscope can magnify and resolve the specimens, then we should
expect to observe bacterial slides with no problem.
B. If we use an increased numerical aperture, then we will increase the
resolution of the specimen.

III.

Methods: (This is the how to do it or procedures. You will be able to get this
information from the section of your manual called: In this Exercise, or
procedures. It may say On day one. To write methods ask yourself: How
am I doing this exercise? What are the steps or procedures to follow?).
A. Observation of letter e: We will examine the letter e slide as directed on
handout and instructor.
B. Observation of prepared specimens: We will examine algae and threads
slides as directed on Instructions for using the microscope on page 123124 of Leboffee, (2008), lab. manual. We will follow handout provided
by instructor also.
C. Use of oil immersion objective: We will learn how to use the oil
immersion lens to view bacteria as directed on page 124 steps, 11-13.

IV.

Results: (Here you write down and results observations obtained during the
lab. exercise. Usually it could be your data sheets completed or any other
recorded results asked from your instructor in the handout or during lab.)Ask
yourself: What did I observe from this experiment? What are my results?
A.
Observation of letter e results: (You can also refer to the handout and
attached it at the end of this report)

Side view

ocular view

B. Observation of prepared specimens: results: See attached results at the

end of this report. (You can attach your drawings done in the handout
provided by instructor at the end of this report)

____________
____________
____________
______
______
______
C. Use of oil immersion objective: results: See attached sketches on
handouts.

____________
______

____________
______

D. Data sheet results: See attachment at the end of this report. (Make a copy
or attach data sheet at the end of the report, make sure its properly
labeled as Results.
V.

Conclusion: (You can write a conclusion per procedure done, that you have
more chances of a better grade). Ask yourself: After looking and reflecting of
my results, did I prove my hypothesis right or wrong? What can I conclude
from my experiments based on my results? Provide backup arguments
(usually results), to support your statements. Make sure to be specific and
clear, (not vague). Discuss and interpret your results. Explain the meaning of
the results you obtained.
A. Overall:

VI.

After using microscope, I was able to prove my hypothesis to be true. As I

increased the numerical aperture , I was able to increase the resolution. I
can this because when I observed specimens using the 100 x which has a
numerical aperture of 1.25 I was able able to resolve specimen better than
when I used the 40x which has a numerical aperture of 0.65.
B. Letter e observation:
During this procedure I can conclude that the image of the specimen is
inverted by the microscope. I can conclude this because after placing the letter
e in the readable position on the stage, when looking through the ocular the
letter e appeared to be inverted. I can also conclude that when the stage is
moved in one direction (ex. East); when looking through the ocular, it appears
to move in the opposite direction (right). This is important to know so you
understand whats going on when you are trying to find your specimen.
C. Observation of prepared specimens: threads, algae.:
During this procedure I can conclude that the microscope appears to have
different depths as seen by the colored threads and the different prepared algae
slides. When focusing the slide on one depth level, you loose focus of the
other levels of depths.
D. Use of oil immersion objective :
During this procedure I learned that if you focus your specimen properly, you
should not adjust the coarse adjustment anymore when moving to a higher
objective. If you do, you will loose the focus and you could end up breaking
the slide or the lens.. (Add more here)
Appendix:
A. Data sheets and Questions from data sheets that were assigned: Here
you write the answers to the questions assigned or write the following:
See answers at the end of this report. Or write: see data sheets
attached.
B. Pictures you took from your experiments can be attached here, or anything
else you want to add.

Hints:
Red and green comments are to help you. Should be eliminated from the final
report.
Dont need to type reports, you can handwrite them on the notebook, using pen or
pencil.
Be neat and follow rubric as well as this example.
Dont forget to number the pages of the notebook!
Understanding the results and knowing how to interpret them will help you write
a better conclusion.