Lab 6
24
Lab 6
Introduction to Microscopes and Cells
Description of the Lab
Students are introduced to dissecting and compound microscopes. Microscopes are used
Laboratory Materials and Equipment for Student Use
Materials and Equipment
Per
Student
Per Pair of
Students
Per Lab
Group
Per
Room
Dissecting scope
1
Compound Microscope
1
pennies
1
Petri dishes
Toothpicks
1
Glass slides
Cover slips
Scissors
1
Paper towels
Dropper bottles 0.9%NaCl
1
Biohazard disposal container for
toothpicks
1
Fresh live materials suggestions
1
1
1
1
Reagents
Methylene Blue stain
1
0.9% NaCl
Preparation of Laboratory Materials and Reagents
Reagents
0.9% NaCl
Outline of Investigation
Exercise 1 – Dissecting Microscope
Materials needed:
Exercise 2 – Dissecting Microscope and Algae
Materials needed:
• Dissecting Microscopes
Exercise 3 – Compound Microscope
Materials needed:
• ‘E’ glass slide
Exercise 4 – Compound Microscope and Cheek Cells
Materials needed:
• Toothpicks
• Stain: Methylene Blue
Exercise 5 – Compound Microscope and Elodea
Materials needed:
• Elodea (one small piece per student)
Answers to Questions for Lab 6
1. Name two structures unique to plant cells (not found in animal cells).
2. Name one object you could see using a dissecting (stereo) microscope that you could
not observe using a compound microscope.
magnification of a dissecting scope.
3. To increase the total magnification from 100x to 400x, describe the process you
would use to accomplish this change using names of the various microscope parts
involved.
Using a compound microscope, use the objective with the lowest power. Adjust
4. If the ocular lens were 10x and the objective were 40x, what would be the total
magnification?