Microscopes

Microscopes can be tricky to use if you do not know the parts and what they do. I always had trouble focusing the high power objective lens, also known as the 40 objective. To start focusing this lens, first turn on the microscope and put it to the scanning lens (the shortest one). After that put the slide on and make sure the image is centered. Now focus on the image using the coarse adjustment knob to get a general picture. Then using the fine adjustment knob, turn it until the image in clear. Now you’re ready to move to the high power lens (the longest one). Re-focus the lens by only using the fine adjustment knob until it is clear. Do not touch the coarse adjustment knob or the slide could crack!

            To wet a mount slide, place a sample on the slide. Using an eyedropper put a drop of water on the sample. Now place the cover slip at a 45-degree angle and slowly lower it on the slide to create no air bubbles. If there is excess water, take a paper towel to the end of the cover slip to absorb the extra.

            If you want to stain a slide, first you must complete the steps of mounting a wet slide. Then take a piece of a paper towel and put it at the edge of the cover slip. This will act as a magnet and pull the color to it. Then using an eyedropper, place it at the other end of the cover slip and add a single drop. Watch it spread on the slide and if it does not cover the sample add another drop. Once you’ve finished looking at the sample, clean it cause it will stain the slide.

            This lab we did today has reminded me on how to use a microscope, what the parts are, and correctly viewing an image. It has made my skills better because I now know the proper way to mount an stain a slide, plus the correct way to focus an image. If I had a little more practice, I could become a pro with using microscopes.