RP1 - using a light microscope

• What are the safety precautions when using a microscope?

  
  

  • Take care when handling glass slides
  • Avoid getting iodine solution on skin
  • Wear eye protection
  • Don’t break the slide by moving the objective lens
• What is the equipment required for the microscopy practical?

  • Selection of samples
  • Iodine solution
  • Pippette
  • Animal or plant cells
  • Microscope slide and cover slip
• how do you prepare the slide?

  1. collect a sample of the cell
  2. Remove the inner skin layer using forceps
  3. Place the thin slice onto a clean glass slide
  4. Add one or two iodine drops using a pipette on the skin
  5. Lower the cover slip onto the glass slide so the liquid spreads out
• how do you set up a light microscope?

  
  

  1. move the stage to its lowest position
  2. Place a prepared slide on the centre of the stage and fix it in place using the clips
  3. Select the objective lens with the lowest magnification
  4. look into the eyepiece and turn the focus until you can see the cells