Experiment

Animal cell

1. Rinse mouth with water

2. Using a cotton swab, scrape the inside of cheek; smear the cells on the drop of water in the centre of the glass slide

3. Place the coverslip slowly at an angle to avoid air bubbles

4. Add a drop of methylene blue onto one side of the coverslip and use filter paper to draw out the stain on the other side of the coverslip

5. Place the slide into the middle of the stage securing using clips

6. Switch on the lamp

7. Examine using low power, focusing using the coarse focus wheel and then examine using high power, focusing using the fine focus wheel

Light microscope

1. Turn on lamp

2. Rotate nosepiece so the low power lens is in position

3. Place prepared sample on centre of stage and secure using stage clips

4. Using one eye to look down eyepiece- 2cm away

5. Focus on low power using coarse focus wheel

6. Then focus on high power using fine focus wheel

7. Ensure sample is in your field of view

8. Adjust the diaphragm to control the amount of light reaching the sample