Biology Year 7 - The Microscope
Diagram
Using the microscope
- Using your nails or tweezers, pinch a thin, almost transparent piece of your sample.
- Place your sample on a long slide.
- Ensure that your sample is flat.
- Get one drop of water in a pipette and add this onto your sample.
- Collect a small slide and gently place it down on top of your sample with a pencil.
- Turn on the light of the microscope.
- Place your slide on the centre of the stage.
- Look at your sample using the lowest possible magnification, adjusting the coarse focus to obtain the best view of your sample. If you cannot see anything through the microscope, you can adjust the mirror or adjust the positioning of the mirror or lamp.
- Once you have obtained this view, try a higher magnification. Ensure that you refocus, using both the fine and coarse focuses. Note that the higher magnifications do not have stops, so make sure you don't smash your sample. If you cannot see anything through the microscope, you can adjust the mirror or adjust the positioning of the mirror or lamp.