Light microscopy: observing and drawing cells | Combined science

Starter quiz

Starting with the smallest, sort the following in size order.

1

⇔

an atom

2

⇔

a molecule

3

⇔

nucleus of a cell

4

⇔

a cell
Which structure contains genetic material, which controls the cell's activities?

'nucleus' ✓
Which sub-cellular structure is responsible for the synthesis of proteins in a cell?

'ribosome' ✓
A permanent ______ is a subcellular structure that is found in plant cells but not animal cells.

'vacuole' ✓
______ are the site of respiration in a cell.

'mitochondria' ✓
Which piece of apparatus is used to view cells?

hand lens

telescope

microscope ✓

binoculars

Which part of the microscope is the arrow pointing to?

light source

eyepiece lens

objective lens

stage ✓
Which part of the microscope is the arrow pointing to?

'eyepiece lens' ✓
Which part of the microscope is the arrow pointing to?

'objective lens' ✓
What is the purpose of the coarse adjustment knob on a microscope?

to fine-tune the focus of the specimen

to quickly bring the specimen into rough focus ✓

to switch between different objective lenses

to adjust the intensity of the light source
Why is it important to start with the lowest magnification objective lens when using a compound microscope?

to maximize the field of view ✓

to prevent damage to the objective lenses

to enhance resolution and clarity

to speed up the focusing process
What is the function of the fine adjustment knob on a microscope?

to change the objective lens

to quickly bring the specimen into focus

to adjust the intensity of the light source

to fine-tune and sharpen the focus of the specimen ✓

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A light microscope can be used to observe animal and plant cells.
The parts of a light microscope and their functions.
The sequence of steps setting up a light microscope to observe cells, including changing the magnification and focus.
Observations from a light microscope can be recorded in a labelled scientific line drawing with an indication of scale.
The magnification and real size of structures observed with a microscope can be calculated.

Cells are inert 'building blocks' like bricks. Microscopes can see structures as small as molecules.

The lesson explores what cells are, including that they are living units, and considers what can and can't be seen using a light microscope.

Light microscope - A type of microscope that uses visible light and a system of lenses to generate magnified images of small objects.
Lens - A piece of glass or other transparent material with curved sides, used in a microscope to magnify objects.
Magnification - Making small objects appear larger in order to see more detail.
Focus - A point where light rays converge to form an image.