Microscope Use

Videos of Proper Microscope Use

Note that you will need either RealPlayer G2 or QuickTime 3 or 4 to view these files. The QuickTime files clearly show details, but are larger and take longer to download (both formats supposedly will stream the movies), while the RealPlayer files are smaller but show far less detail. The size of each file will display in the status bar as you put the mouse over each picture, below.

The whole process of proper microscope use is available as a QuickTime or RealPlayer video.

File
Size
Running
Time

View QuickTime Movie 144.8 MB 18 min

View RealPlayer Movie 2.7 MB 18 min

Or, to see a specific segment, click on a picture to view the corresponding movie.

		File Size	Running Time
View QuickTime Movie	144.8 MB	18 min
View RealPlayer Movie	2.7 MB	18 min

Parts of the Microscope	5:05
In your lab notebook, draw and label a picture of a microscope. Know what all the parts are, where they are, and what they do.

Getting out the Microscope	0:36
When carrying a microscope, one hand goes under the base and one hand goes around the arm of the microscope.

Plugging in the Cord	0:47
Cords should be draped over the table top, not left dangling down. Someone could trip over a dangling cord and pull a microscope off the table.

Adjusting Chair Height	0:21
Adjust your chair height so you can comfortably look through the microscope.

Obtaining a Letter “e” Slide	1:22
Notice how the letter “e” appears to the naked eye and how that differs from its appearance under the microscope.

Getting the Right-Eye View in Focus	0:39
Use the coarse and fine adjustment knobs to bring the right-eye view into focus.

Getting the Left-Eye View in Focus	1:04
Use the diopter adjustment to bring the left-eye view into focus.

Adjusting the Interpupillary Distance	0:39
Adjust the width between the oculars until you can comfortably see one image with both eyes.

Going from 4× to 10× Objective	0:58
When going to a higher-power objective, do not move the stage. You may use either the coarse or fine adjustment knobs at 10×.

Going from 10× to 40× Objective	1:20
When going to 40×, watch from the side to make sure the lens doesn’t hit the slide, but do not move the stage. Only use fine adjustment at 40×.

Putting Away the Microscope, Part 1	1:59
When putting away your microscope, make sure to read the checklist on the back of the microscope and do everything listed there.

Putting Away the Microscope, Part 2	2:02
Your microscope should be placed in the cupboard with the arm facing toward you so the next person can grab the arm to take the microscope out.

The Microscope Police	0:41
Surprise microscope checks may occur after you leave the lab. Any problems will be reported to your lab instructor and/or you may be graded on your technique (a “pop” quiz).