August 27, 2015 Benjamin Wajsberg

Lab Report 1: Microscopes & Cells

Purpose
To learn how images are created and distorted by a microscope and how to use its different
functions in order to gain a better understanding of different complex cell types and their
respective parts.

Introduction
Microscopes are one of the most important tools used in a lab to observe minuscule forms of life
in greater detail. Microscopes work by magnifying objects and creating an image that is visible
to the naked eye. The quality of the microscope is not determined by its ability to magnify
objects, but by its ability to resolve objects, to distinguish detail. Light microscopes use visible
light and an arrangement of lenses to magnify and resolve objects. Additionally, microscopy
allows scientists to see transparent and translucent objects through the use of various staining
techniques to enhance contrast in the image.

Cells are the basic units of life. All organisms are made up of one or more cells. All cells emerge
from pre-existing cells. This is known as “cell theory”. There are two types of cells: prokaryotic
and eukaryotic cells. Prokaryotic cells are the simpler cells with simple circular DNA and some
basic organelles, and no nuclear envelope and no chromosomal proteins. For example, bacteria
and blue green algae. Eukaryotic cells (eu = true, karyote = nucleus) have a nuclear envelope,
contain chromosomal proteins and various complex organelles. For example, single-celled
protists, plant cells and animal cells.

Materials and methods

As described in the lab manual on pages 29 to 44.

No magnification 4x objective
Data: lens
- Slide 1: Letter “e”

e
e

Findings: It was observed with the 4X objective lens that the letter “e” was mirrored around
the x-axis and the y-axis.

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- Slide 2: Field of view

4.6 mm Not able to

2.0 mm
measure
Findings:

Objective lens Field of view

4X 4.6 mm or 4.6 x 103 m
Remeasured: 5.0 mm or 5.0 x 103 m
* refer to conclusions for errors
10X 2.0 mm or 2.0 x 103 m
40X Not able to measure because the lines were too thick.
Based on calculation: 0.5 mm or 0.5 x 103 m (* refer to conclusions)

- Slide 3: Tricolor layered thread

Findings1: From upper to bottom layer: red, blue, and yellow

1
Data adapted from Josh Birnbaum and Avi Gordon

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- Slide 4: Protist – amoeba without staining

10X objective 10X objective

lens lens

Findings: Amoeba’s slow movement and shift of internal structures was observed as well as
the formation of pseudopodia (“fake legs”). Surrounding food was also observed.

- Slide 5: Plant cell – onion cell with staining

4X objective lens 10X objective

lens

Findings: The cells seemed well-organized and ordered. The rigid cell wall was clearly
visible. The internal structures were not clearly visible, except for the nucleus.

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- Slide 6: Animal cell – cheek epithelial cells with staining

10X objective
lens

Findings: The cells were stuck together and overlapped. The nuclei were clearly visible, but
the internal structures were unnoticeable.

Conclusions:
Microscopes are very useful tools to study different cell types and cell structures.
When using a microscope, it is very important to know how to manipulate its different parts in
order to get a clear and detailed image.
The microscope has four levels of magnification ability:
- Scanning – 4X
- Lower power – 10X
- High power – 40X
- Oil immersion – 100X (not used during experimentation)
The above multiplication powers are multiplied by 10 (the magnification ability of ocular lens) in
order to get the total magnification.

Slide 1 shows that when viewing a specimen under the microscope, it is mirrored around the x-
axis and the y-axis. This has to be taken into account when moving the specimen with the stage
motion knobs and when placing the specimen on the stage.

The field of view of a microscope is the diameter of the microscopic image. Slide 2 showed that
the magnification and the field of view are inversely proportional. In other words, if the
magnification increases by factor k, the diameter of the field of view decreases by factor k.
In mathematical terms – objective lens magnification x field of view = factor k
Based upon this, one can calculate the field of view for the 40X objective lens, which was unable
to be measured:
40 (objective lens magnification) x f (field of view) = 20 (factor k) <=> f = 0.5 mm
Thus the field of view for the 40X objective lens is 0.5 mm.

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It is also important to note that initially the field of view of the 4X lens was 4.6 mm, which was
then remeasured to be 5.0 mm. This initial error was ascribed to human error.

In slide 3, by using the fine adjustments, one can focus on different layers of the specimen and
determine their vertical position. This is important in order to get a better understanding of the
specimen’s three-dimensional structure.

The amoeba from slide 4 moved slowly and changed shapes while altering its path. It exhibited
long, blunt feet-like structures called pseudopodia (“fake legs”). These structures enabled
movement through shifting internal structures to one side.

When viewing the onion cells from slide 5, the nucleus was clearly visible as well as the
surrounding cell wall. Unlike animal cells that have exoskeletons and endoskeletons, plant cells
have a rigid cell wall composed of cellulose, which provides structural support and protection.
The onion cells have a fixed shape resembling a rectangle. The onion cells that were observed
did not have chloroplasts because they do not carry out photosynthesis as they grow
underground.

Cheek cells from slide 6 can visibly be distinguished from plant cells by their round shape and
the lack of a cell wall. The cheek cells were stuck together because they do not have a cell wall
for protection so it was difficult to discern the difference cells.

Both methylene blue and bromocresol green were used in slides 5 and 6 to enhance contrast
between the parts of the specimen.

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