Microscopy

Steps of preparing a plant cell specimen for microscopy

1. Cut the onion and peel a thin singular layer using forceps

2. place the piece on a slide

3. add a few drops of a stain(iodine solution or methylene blue)

4. place a coverslip carefully, so no air bubbles are trapped

5. place the slide on a microscope stage

Steps of preparing an animal cell specimen for microscopy

1. Take a cotton bud and gently scrape your inner cheek

2. Wipe the cotton bud across a slide

3. add a few drops of a stain(iodine solution or methylene blue)

4. place a coverslip carefully, so no air bubbles are trapped

5. place the slide on a microscope stage

How do you view the prepared specimen in the microscope

1. Connect the microscope to the plug and turn the light on

2. Start focusing on the lowest magnification power, and increase as you go

3. Use the coarse focus knob to bring the specimen to focus

4. Use the fine focus knob to increase the detail of the specimen

5. Adjust until image is clear

Compare light and electron microscope

Light microscope | Electron

has low resolving power | greater resolution

low magnification | greater magnification

uses beams of light (long wavelength) | uses beams of electrons (short waveL)

color images | black and white images

small and portable | large and non portable

relatively inexpensive | expensive