Year 9 Biology: Microscopy

What is Microscopy?

Microscopy is the science of using microscopes to see things that are too small for our eyes to see. This includes tiny organisms like bacteria, plant cells, and even the details of your own skin!

Why Do We Use Microscopes?

We use microscopes to:

• Explore: Look at the tiny structures in living things.
• Understand: Learn how cells work.
• Discover: Find new organisms and study them.

Types of Microscopes

1. Light Microscopes: These use light to see small things. You can look at living cells with these.
2. Electron Microscopes: These are more powerful and use electrons instead of light. They can show much smaller details, but you can’t use them to see living things.

How to Use a Microscope: Step by Step

1. Set Up: Place the microscope on a flat surface.
2. Turn On: Switch on the light source.
3. Prepare the Slide: Put a small drop of what you want to observe on a slide, and cover it with a cover slip.
4. Place the Slide: Position the slide under the objective lens of the microscope.
5. Adjust the Focus: Use the coarse focus knob to move the stage up and down until you see the image. Then, use the fine focus knob to sharpen the image.
6. Change Magnification: If you want to see more detail, switch to a higher magnification lens.

Key Rules When Using a Microscope

• Always start with the lowest magnification lens.
• Handle the microscope gently.
• Never use the coarse focus knob when looking through high magnification lenses.
• Clean the lenses with lens paper, not tissues.

Tips and Tricks

• Practice: The more you use a microscope, the better you’ll get at focusing and finding things.
• Draw What You See: Sketching helps you remember what you’ve observed.
• Ask for Help: If you’re stuck, don’t hesitate to ask a teacher or a friend.

Questions about Microscopy

Easy Level Questions

1. What is microscopy?
2. Name one type of microscope.
3. What do we use microscopes for?
4. Can you see living cells with a light microscope?
5. What is the light source used for in a microscope?
6. What should you use to clean the lenses?
7. Which knob do you use first when focusing?
8. What is a cover slip?
9. Can you see bacteria without a microscope?
10. What is the main difference between light and electron microscopes?
11. What part of the microscope holds the slide?
12. Why do we adjust the focus on a microscope?
13. What happens if you use the coarse focus with high magnification?
14. What should you do if you can’t see anything through the microscope?
15. Why is it important to handle the microscope gently?
16. What do you call the small glass piece that covers the slide?
17. How can drawing help you in microscopy?
18. What is the stage of a microscope?
19. How do you change the magnification on a microscope?
20. Why is it important to start with the lowest magnification?

Medium Level Questions

1. How does a light microscope work?
2. What are the advantages of using an electron microscope?
3. Describe how to prepare a slide.
4. Why can you not see living things with an electron microscope?
5. What is the function of the fine focus knob?
6. Explain why we should avoid using tissues to clean lenses.
7. How do you know when an image is in focus?
8. What are some limitations of light microscopes?
9. Describe an example of something you might see under a microscope.
10. How does changing the amount of light affect what you see?
11. What is magnification?
12. Why is it important to know the total magnification?
13. What could happen if you drop the microscope?
14. How do you ensure you are looking at the right part of the slide?
15. What is the difference between a prepared slide and a wet mount slide?
16. Why is it crucial to have a stable surface for the microscope?
17. How does the eyepiece lens contribute to magnification?
18. What is resolution in microscopy?
19. How might scientists use microscopy to study diseases?
20. What factors can affect the clarity of the image you see?

Hard Level Questions

1. Explain the principle of how an electron microscope works.
2. What are the key differences in resolution between light and electron microscopes?
3. Describe the process of making a wet mount slide.
4. Why is it important to have a cover slip on a wet mount slide?
5. How do you calculate the total magnification of a microscope?
6. Explain why certain cells cannot be seen with a light microscope.
7. Describe a real-world application of microscopy in medicine.
8. What safety precautions should you take when using a microscope?
9. How does the stage movement affect what you observe?
10. Discuss the importance of staining in microscopy.
11. How can you tell if a microscope is properly calibrated?
12. What are the consequences of using an incorrect lens?
13. How do scientists use microscopy to identify unknown organisms?
14. Discuss the limitations of microscopy in biological research.
15. What advancements have been made in microscopy technology?
16. How does fluorescence microscopy work?
17. Why is it important to document your observations when using a microscope?
18. Explain the role of light in the visibility of specimens under a microscope.
19. How can microscopy contribute to the field of genetics?
20. What are the ethical considerations when using microscopy in biological research?

Answers

Easy Level Answers

1. The science of using microscopes to see small things.
2. Light microscope or electron microscope.
3. To explore and understand small structures.
4. Yes.
5. To illuminate the specimen.
6. Lens paper.
7. Coarse focus knob.
8. A thin glass cover for the slide.
9. No.
10. Light microscopes use light; electron microscopes use electrons.
11. The stage.
12. To see the details clearly.
13. You might break the slide or lens.
14. Check the slide and focus again.
15. To avoid damage.
16. A cover slip.
17. It helps with memory and understanding.
18. The flat part where you put the slide.
19. By switching lenses.
20. To avoid missing details.

Medium Level Answers

1. It uses light to magnify small objects.
2. They can see smaller details and have higher resolution.
3. Place a drop of liquid on a slide and cover with a slip.
4. Because they require a vacuum and cannot have living cells.
5. To make fine adjustments to focus.
6. They can scratch or damage the lenses.
7. When the image is clear.
8. They can only magnify to a certain extent.
9. You might see cells, bacteria, or tiny organisms.
10. It can enhance or reduce visibility.
11. The size of the image compared to the actual size.
12. It can affect the clarity and detail of your observations.
13. The microscope could break or become misaligned.
14. Look at different parts of the slide systematically.
15. Prepared slides are made in advance; wet mounts are made fresh.
16. To ensure stability and prevent accidents.
17. It can magnify the image further.
18. Resolution is how clear the image is.
19. By examining cells and pathogens.
20. Too much light can wash out details.

Hard Level Answers

1. It uses beams of electrons to create an image.
2. Electron microscopes have higher resolution.
3. Place a drop of fluid on the slide, then add a cover slip.
4. It prevents evaporation and keeps the specimen flat.
5. Multiply the eyepiece magnification by the objective magnification.
6. Some are too small or transparent.
7. To diagnose and study diseases.
8. Avoid electric hazards and handle lenses carefully.
9. You can see different areas of the specimen.
10. It helps to highlight structures in the sample.
11. To ensure accurate measurements.
12. It could lead to blurry images or damage.
13. To classify and understand new species.
14. Limited visibility and specimen size can be issues.
15. Development of more powerful lenses and techniques.
16. It uses fluorescent dyes to highlight specimens.
17. It helps in reviewing and analyzing results.
18. Light allows the details to be seen clearly.
19. It can help identify genetic material in cells.
20. Ensuring the welfare of organisms being studied.

Feel free to ask if you have any questions or need further clarification! Happy exploring with microscopes!