How well do you know your microscope?

What needs to be done when preparing a sample on a glass slide? (more than 1 correct answer)

• place a cover slip on top

• sample cannot be larger than the cover slip

• use 1-2 drops of distilled water on sample

• just try to adhere the sample on glass slide with fingers

If too much liquid has been placed on the sample, what needs to be done? (more than 1 correct answer)

• repeat the whole mounting process if necessary

• use a tissue paper to absorb excess liquid

• use a finger to wipe away the excess liquid and blow the sample

• put another cover slip on top of the glass slide

Before placing the glass slide on the stage of the microscope, ensure that...

• the stage is lowered sufficiently.

• the lens have been switched to the highest magnification.

• the lens have been switched to the lowest magnification of 10X.

• the lens have been switched to the lowest magnification of 4X.

When glass slide is placed on the stage, ensure that it is secured in place by the _________.

• lens

• eyepiece

• mirror

• clips

If the sample looks very dark through the microscope, you may need to

• adjust the amount of light that comes through.

• change lens to a higher magnification.

• adjust the fine focusing before doing the coarse focusing.

• lower the stage.

Once the glass slide has been properly secured on the stage, with 4X magnification in place, the next step is

• bring the stage closer to the lens by adjusting the fine adjustment knob

• bring the stage closer to the lens before looking into the eyepiece

• bring the stage closer to the lens by adjusting the coarse adjustment knob

• immediately switch to 10X magnification

After obtaining a clear image with the coarse adjustment knob, proceed to sharpen the image further by

• changing to a higher magnification.

• lowering the stage

• adjusting the eyepiece

• adjusting the fine adjustment knob

After a sharp image is obtained using the 4X magnification lens, what should NOT be done?

• proceed to lower the stage because lens is now very close to sample

• carefully switch to 10X magnification without moving the stage

• after switching to 10X and 40X magnification, only use fine adjustment

• ensure the sharp image is centralised under the lens

Answer explanation

It is intuitive to lower the stage for fear that the lens hit the glass slide. However, do not do so because it will affect the focus and the whole process will need to be repeated again.

Which statement is NOT true?

• Samples must always be viewed at the maximum magnification.

• There is no need to use the 40X magnification if a clear image can be obtained at a lower magnification.

• We can read the question carefully for guidelines on which magnification to use.

Answer explanation

Depending on what you wish to observe, you may capture your images at 10X. 40X magnification should be used to observed organelles within the cell, if necessary.

What are the steps to take after a clear image has been obtained on the microscope? (more than 1 correct answer)

• capture an image of it using your device for documentation

• lower the glass slide before removing the it from the stage

• rotate lens back to lowest power magnification

• turn off the microscope