Required Practical 1

Question 1

Describe how to prepare a microscope slide.

Answer 1

1. Peel epidermal layer using tweezers.
2. Add drop of water to clean slide and place epidermal lay onto water.
3. Add two drops of iodine or methyl blue to stain the cell.
4. Carefully place cover slip onto specimen.

Question 2

Describe how to use a microscope to observe, draw and measure a specimen.

Answer 2

1. Put on the lowest power objective lens.
2. Looking from the side, turn the course dial until the objective lens is nearly touching the slide.
3. Looking through the objective lens, turn the course dial until the cell comes into slight focus.
4. Adjust the fine focussing dial until cell comes into clear focus.
5. Change to a higher power objective lens.
6. Make a clear, labelled drawing of the cells and the components shown.
7. Use and calibrate an eyepiece graticule using a stage micrometer to measure the length of one of the cell you drew.
8. Calculate the magnification and include in drawing by doing: magnification = image size ÷ actual size