Online Microscope Lab

In 1595 Zacharias Jansssen invented the first microscope. It is said that his father Hans may have made the first but Zach took over the production of microscopes. The first microscope was a tube with lenses at eachend. They only magnified to 3x or 9x. By 1660 a man Robert Hooke was able to improve many aspects of the microscope. He was able to use bark from an oak tree to show the features of plant tissue. In 1667 He discovered the role of oxygenation in the respiratory system. Anton van Leeuwenhoek built the best microscopes of his time. He was the first person to be able to describe bacteria, protozoans, and helped to prove the theory of blood circulation. Today we have came a long way from the first microscopes. We have different kinds for different purposes. (southwestschools.org)

Compound- light illuminated, images two dimensional, most common microscope used, high magnification, however low resolution

Dissection- light illuminated, images three dimensional, used for dissection to get a better look at larger specimen, cannont see individual cells because of low magnification

Scanning Electron Microscope- electron illumintation, images seen in 3D, high magnification and resolution, pictures are in black and white

Transmission Electron Microscope- electron illuminated, images seen in 2D, high magnification and resolution (southwestschools.org)

Here is a picture of the Compound Microscope

Stage- Platform where the slide is placed for examination

Course Adjustment Knob- The larger knob on the side of microscope, it is used to focus on the specimen, always focus using this knob first, moves fast while looking at stage

Fine Adjustment Knob- smaller knob on side of microscope, used to fine-tune your speciman after using course adjustment knob, moves slower looking in Oculars

Iris- Adjusts brightness known as illuminator, gives you control of the amount of light on speciman looking in oculars

Oculars-look through to see speciman

Objectives- 3 or 4 lenses that magnify at different powers, always start at the lowest power usually the shortest lense and work your way up to the stronger powers.

Below is a slide of onion root:

During this lab I have seen how much mircoscopes have impacted us in our health field. This lab has been very helpful to me because I have struggled in the past using a microscope and this has broken everything down for me step by step. Now I would feel comfortable going into a class or a lab to use a microscope. I would encourage students to do this lab and visit the southwestschools.org website this website shows the different microscopes and what they are used for.