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Questions and Answers
What should be the first step when using a microscope?
What should be the first step when using a microscope?
Why should the coarse adjustment knob not be used at high magnification?
Why should the coarse adjustment knob not be used at high magnification?
What is the purpose of a coverslip in microscopy?
What is the purpose of a coverslip in microscopy?
What is the purpose of adding water over the specimen when making a wet mount?
What is the purpose of adding water over the specimen when making a wet mount?
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What materials are necessary for creating a wet mount?
What materials are necessary for creating a wet mount?
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In the preparation of a wet mount for fine powders, which step helps minimize the disturbance of air bubbles?
In the preparation of a wet mount for fine powders, which step helps minimize the disturbance of air bubbles?
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What is the role of the water in a wet mount?
What is the role of the water in a wet mount?
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Which of the following materials is NOT necessary for making a wet mount?
Which of the following materials is NOT necessary for making a wet mount?
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What should be done to the excess water after placing the cover glass?
What should be done to the excess water after placing the cover glass?
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What is the main carbohydrate component found in starches?
What is the main carbohydrate component found in starches?
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Study Notes
Using a Microscope
- Start with the lowest magnification (4X, red)
- Place the slide on the stage and lock the clips
- Do not use the coarse adjustment knob at high magnification. It may break the slide.
- Use the coarse adjustment knob from up to down
- Adjust the light source. If using a mirror, do not stand in front of it
- Use the fine adjustment knob to focus
Specimen or Slide
- The specimen is the object being examined
- Most specimens are mounted on slides, flat pieces of thin glass
- A coverslip is placed over the specimen on the glass
- This allows the slide to be easily inserted, removed, labeled, transported, and stored
What is a Wet Mount?
- A wet mount is a preparation where the specimen is suspended in a drop of liquid, typically water, placed between the slide and coverslip
- The water improves the image quality and supports the specimen
Making a Wet Mount
- Place a small drop of water in the center of the microscope slide
- Place the specimen into the water
- Add more water to ensure the specimen is completely submerged
- Hold the cover glass at an angle with tweezers and slowly lower it onto the water drop to minimize air bubbles
- Remove excess water with filter paper or tissue paper
Laboratory Applications
- Create a wet mount of starch using water
- Make another wet mount using I₂ solution
- Boil plant powder with 5% KOH for 5 minutes and create a wet mount
- Make a mount of the boiled plant powder with phloroglucinol + conc.HCl
Lab 2: Starches
- Starches (Amylum) are the principle form of carbohydrates in green plants
- Common starches are present in grains (wheat, maize) and underground organs (potato, ginger)
Caring for a Microscope
- Clean only with a soft cloth/tissue
- Clean eyepiece and object lenses using water or xylene
- Ensure it is on a flat surface
- Avoid banging it
- Do not leave the light on when not in use
How to Carry a Microscope Correctly
- Use two hands: one on the arm and one on the base
Microscope Parts and Functions
- Arm: connects the body tube to the base of the microscope
- Stage clips: hold microscope slides in place. If the microscope has a mechanical stage, there are knobs to move the slide around (left/right and forward/backward).
- Stage: The flat platform where microscope slides are placed.
- Illuminator: A steady light source, replacing a mirror in some models.
- Diaphragm/Iris: A rotating disk under the stage with different-sized holes to vary the intensity and size of the light cone projected onto the slide.
- Coarse adjustment: Brings the specimen into general focus.
- Fine adjustment: Fine-tunes the focus and increases the detail of the specimen.
- Important Note: When focusing, carefully avoid the objective lens touching the slide to prevent breakage.
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Description
This quiz covers essential techniques for using a microscope, including proper slide preparation and adjustments for various magnifications. You'll learn about the different components of a microscope and how to create a wet mount for specimen observation. Test your knowledge and understanding of microscopy fundamentals!
