Leaf Lab

Leaf Microscope Lab

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Materials

How to Use a Microscope

Lab Procedure

Clean up instructions

(Hint: If you see any images, click them to make them bigger.

Materials

You will need 2 sets of materials.

Per group:

At each table number:

• Glass slide
• Coverslip
• "e" slide
• wooden stick
• Cup with 4 different aquatic plants in water.
• A piece of grapefruit leaf.
• Pipette.

• 2 bottles of Nail Polish
• Clear tape(not matte)

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HOw to use a microscope

Eyepiece

Steps for using a microscope

Arm

Objective Lens

Stage

Stage Clip

Coarse Knob

Fine Knob

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HOw to use a microscope

Basic Instructions for Using the Light Microscope Prepare the Workspace: Ensure you have a clean, well-lit, and stable surface for setting up the microscope. Keep the area organized and free from clutter. Turn On the Light Source: If your microscope has an adjustable light source, switch it on. Adjust the brightness to an optimal level for viewing the specimen. Place the Slide: Place the prepared slide on the stage of the microscope. Secure it in place using the mechanical stage clips or slide holder. Use the Lowest Objective Lens: Start with the stage lowered all the way to the bottom and the lowest magnification objective lens (usually 4x or 10x). Rotate the objetive lenses until the correct one "clicks" into place. Adjust the Focus: Look through the eyepiece and slowly turn the coarse focus knob to bring the specimen into a rough focus. Then, use the fine focus knob for precise focusing. Continue adjusting until the image is clear. Change to Higher Magnification: If needed, switch to higher magnification lenses (40x or 100x) by rotating the nosepiece. Be cautious with higher magnifications as they have a smaller depth of field and require more precise adjustments. Center the Specimen: Adjust the mechanical stage controls to move the slide and center the area of interest within the field of view.

How to prepare a slide

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Lab Procedure: HOw to look at a leaf

Step 1: Paint a thin layer of nail polish on the back side of your grapefruit leaf. Then set it aside to dry and click next.

The back side is lighter in color than the front.

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Next

Lab Procedure: HOw to look at a leaf

Step 2: While you are waiting for it to dry, practice using a microscope. Prepare a slide with an aquatic plant.

Cover your specimen with a coverslip.

Use the wooden stick to grab one of the pieces of aquatic plant.

Use the pipette to add 1-2 drops of water to your specimen.

Why?

Why?

Why?

Next

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Lab Procedure: HOw to look at a leaf

Step 2: Now that you have prepared your aquatic plant slide, place it on the microscope and look at your specimen.

Remember to take a picture at 40x for your lab.

When you finish this part, put the plant back in the water and click next.

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Next

Lab Procedure: HOw to look at a leaf

Step 3: If you have taken the photo of the aquatic plant and the polish is dry, proceed with the following steps.

Gently peel the tape off the leaf and stick the tape on the the blank slide.

Now that the polish is dry, place tape over the nail polish.

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(Hint: Click any images to make them bigger.)

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Lab Procedure: HOw to look at a leaf

Step 3: Place your slide on the microscope. Remember to start with the lowest magnification. Look at 4x,10x and 40x.

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Remember to take a picture for your lab at 4x,10x, and 40x.

Clean up Instructions

Clean up INstructions

1. Turn off the microscope. Cover it and put it back in the cabinet. 2. DO NOT throw away your aquatic plants. Put them back in the cup. If you need more let me know. You can throw away the used lemon leaf. 3.Clean the blank slide and put everything back in the trays. If you accidently got nail polish on it, I have remover. 4. Put all materials back the way you found them in the tray and the black cup. 5. Throw away any paper towels, used tape, and lemon leaves.

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Good vs Bad Photos

Click the images to make them bigger.

Example of an almost good microscope photo.

Example of a bad microscope photo.

Example of a good microscope photo.

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How to take a photo:

You can hold up your phone camera to the microscope. It should not touch the microscope as that is too close. Hold it about 0.5-1inch away from the lens. If you are using an iphone and it keep switching cameras, put it in portrait mode. Use two hands for more stability. For even more stability, rest your other hand on the eyepiece. In this photo, my left hand is supporting my phone and keeping it from shaking as much.

Examples of good vs bad photos. Click here.

How to take a photo:

You can hold up your phone camera to the microscope. It should not touch the microscope as that is too close. Hold it about 0.5-1inch away from the lens. If you are using an iphone and it keep switching cameras, put it in portrait mode. Use two hands for more stability. For even more stability, rest your other hand on the eyepiece. In this photo, my left hand is supporting my phone and keeping it from shaking as much.

Examples of good vs bad photos. Click here.

Objective Lenses (Magnification)

These lenses come in three different magnifications. 4x, 10x, and 40x. It can be rotated to switch between objective lenses. They should "click" into place.

• Start with the lowest magnification.
• Rotate the lenses to switch between them. They should "click" into place.
• If your image gets "lost" at a higher magnification, lower the magnifcation to find your image, and then try icreasing it again.

Preparing a specimen.

In order to view a specimen under the microscope you will need a slide and coverslip.

coverslip

• Place your specimen on a glass slide.
• Cover it with a coverslip.
• Be careful, but if anything breaks, make sure to let your instructor know immediately.

slide

Why use water drops?

Adding water helps the coverslip stick to the specimen and slide. Using a coverslip helps protect the microscope from your specimen.

Why use a coverslip?

Why use water drops?

Adding water helps the coverslip stick to the specimen and slide. Using a coverslip helps protect the microscope from your specimen.

Why use a coverslip?

In order to view a specimen under the microscope you will need a slide and coverslip.

coverslip

• Place your specimen on a glass slide.
• Add a drop of water to your specimen.
• Cover it with a coverslip.
• Be careful, but if anything breaks, make sure to let your instructor know immediately.

Note that the letter "e" slides are already prepared and don't need water or a coverslip.

slide