light microscope experiment steps gcse

AQA GCSE Biology

Required practical: using a light microscope.

Below is a diagram of a light microscope, otherwise known as an optical microscope.

Although some light microscopes may look slightly different, they typically share the same structure.

In a light microscope, a series of lenses are used to produce a magnified image of an object.

• At the centre of the microscope, there is a stage, which is where we place the microscope slide. A slide holder or a clip will hold it in place.
• There’s a light source below the stage that passes light up, through the microscope slide.
• Above the stage, there are a set of lenses, which we call objective lenses. Most microscopes have three different objective lenses with various magnification powers, with the most common being x4, x10, x40 and x100.
• At the top of the microscope is the eyepiece, otherwise known as the ocular lens, which has a magnification of x10.

1. Place the slide onto the stage.

2. Turn on the microscope, so light passes through the slide.

3. Select the lowest powered objective lens, which is usually x4.

• This lens is called the scanning objective lens

4. Look down the eyepiece lens and turn the coarse focus knob, to bring the image roughly into focus.

• This increases the distance between the objective lens and the slide

5. Adjust the fine focusing knob, to bring the image into focus, producing a clear image.

6. To observe the sample with higher magnification, move the objective lenses, so that an objective lens with a higher magnification power clicks into place.

7. After switching to a different objective lens, you can readjust the focus by using the coarse focus and fine-focusing knobs.

Making slides

Let’s explore how to prepare slides to look at cells under a microscope.

To look at cells under a microscope, spread a very small sample of cells on a glass slide. Then add a few drops of dye, which stains the cells. After this, place a cover on top of the slide, so that the sample can be viewed.

The focusing knobs are used to focus the image. The safest way to do this is by using the knobs to move the stage downwards, rather than upwards. When you focus upwards, there is a chance of the objective lens and slide colliding.

It is best to start with the objective lens that has the lowest magnification, which is usually the x4. The x4 objective lens has the lowest magnification, so it has the largest field of view. This allows you to see more of the sample and it allows you to observe which part of the sample you want to observe.

With most microscopes, if an object is in focus with one objective lens, it will likely remain in focus when switching to a different objective lens, like moving from x4 to x10. However, slight adjustments may be necessary.

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Last updated: April 27th, 2024

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GCSE Biology - Required Practical - Using a light Microscope Activity Worksheet

Subject: Biology

Age range: 14-16

Resource type: Assessment and revision

Last updated

12 February 2024

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This GCSE Light Microscope Practical Activity Worksheet is designed to teach students the correct sequence of steps for using a light microscope and preparing a slide.

The worksheet includes ordered tasks for operating the microscope, comprehensive instructions for slide preparation, and true or false questions to assess understanding of best practices in microscopy.

Accompanied by a detailed answer page, this resource is ideal for hands-on learning, ensuring students can confidently and safely navigate through the important processes of microscopic observation.

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• Required Practicals

Using a light microscope

Microscopy: using a light microscope to observe, draw and label a selection of plant and animal cells.

Optical microscopes are widely used in biological science. The GCSE curriculum requires students to observe, draw and label a selection of plant and animal cells. A magnification scale must be included. Students should be familiar with the names and functions of the microscope parts from their work at Key Stage 3. A revision of this before the practical would be beneficial.

Microscope styles can vary between manufacturers, but the mechanics and workings are generally the same.

Equipment (per pair of participants)

• M-100FLED microscope • Selection of prepared microscope slides • Ruler • Pencils • Alcohol-free cleaning wipes

• Students should choose an animal cell slide for observation.
• They then place the slide onto the microscope stage and fix into place using the securing clips.
• The objectives are rotated so that the lowest power magnification is selected (usually 4x).
• Then using the coarse (large) focus knob without looking through the eyepiece, raise the stage so that the slide is close to the objective lens but not touching it.
• Students then look through the eyepiece and turn the coarse focusing knob in the opposite direction until the specimen on the slide is close to being in focus.
• They then use the fine focus knob to adjust the focus until the specimen is clearly in view.
• Concentrating on a group of cells in view, students then turn the objectives so that the next higher power lens is in use (10x).
• They then use the fine focus knob to adjust the focusing so that the specimen is clear.
• Concentrating on a group of cells in view, they must now turn the objectives so that the next higher power lens is in use (40x).
• Use the fine focus knob to adjust the focusing again.
• Using a pencil, students must draw a diagram of the cells, ensuring they label any component parts that they can see.
• Students then calculate the magnification of the image by multiplying the selected objective value by the eyepiece magnification.
• The process is then repeated for a plant cell slide.

    Microscope styles can vary between manufacturers, but the mechanics and workings are generally the same

Technician tips

• Microscopes should be serviced annually. General microscope servicing can be completed by the Technician Team, given time.

CLEAPSS have some excellent online resources which can help with the maintenance of microscopes: GL294 Microscopes fixing common faults PS042 Repair and service agents for microscopes GL372 Setting up and using a microscope

• Microscopes should be wiped in between each student use using alcohol-free cleaning wipes

To do this practical you will need

Need some Biology inspiration and help?

Observe , draw and label animal and plant cells using our light microscope for the GCSE Biology required practical. At Philip Harris, our high-quality light microscopes are suitable for all manners of microscope work from basic use. To do this practical, you will need a monocular LED microscope , prepared microscope slide , rulers , pencils and cleaning wipes . Shop Philip Harris for more science equipment ideal for your school or lab.   

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