Microscopes and Wet Mount Slides

These flashcards cover key concepts, definitions, and procedural steps related to microscopes and the preparation of wet mount slides.

What is a microscope?

An instrument that contains one or more magnifying lenses, allowing us to view things too small to see with the naked eye.

What is a compound light microscope?

A common tool in biology that has more than one lens and uses light to view specimens.

What is the difference between a compound light microscope and an electron microscope?

A compound light microscope uses light to view specimens, while an electron microscope uses beams of electrons.

What is the purpose of the ocular lens/eyepiece lens?

It is the lens closest to the eye, allowing the user to see the magnified specimen.

What does the coarse focusing knob do?

It changes the distance between the stage and the objective lens quickly for rough focusing.

What is the role of the fine focusing knob?

It changes the distance between the stage and the objective lens slowly for clear focusing.

What is a stage in a microscope?

The platform where the microscope slide is placed.

What does the diaphragm do in a microscope?

It adjusts the amount of light passing through the microscope.

How do you increase magnification on a compound light microscope?

Swing the medium power objective lens into place and adjust the fine focus knob.

What is a wet mount slide?

A microscope slide prepared by placing a specimen in a drop of liquid, usually water.

How do you make a wet mount slide of onion?

Place drops of iodine solution on a slide, add a piece of onion epidermis, and cover with a coverslip.

What materials do you need to prepare a wet mount slide of cheek cells?

A glass slide, a coverslip, two dissecting needles, and toothpicks or cotton buds.