Experiment+2+-+Using+The+Microscope

**a) **Correctly handle the microscope **b)** Make a wet mount **c)** Stain a wet mount **d)** Make a biological drawing
 * Aim: In this activity you will learn how to: **

To correctly focus the microscope, move the circular knob, (these are more commonly known as focus knobs) to the point when the object under the light of the microscope is clear and easy to see. Remember to always start at the lowest magnification to find the bit of the specimen you want to inspect then swich to a higher magnification for a closer look.
 * How do you correctly focus the microscope? **

When safely handling the microscope, make sure you carry it with two hands; one around the arm of the microscope, the other under the base. Do not lift the plastic cover off your microscope until your teacher tells you to. This cover protects the microscope form dust.
 * How do you safely handle the microscope? **

To make a wet mount place the object you wish to inspect on the centre of a glass rectangle. Put a few drops of water to surround the object. Place a small glass square to cover the object, making sure there are no air bubbles trapped underneath the glass. Now, you are ready to inspect and investigate your object and its cells.
 * How do you make a wet mount? **

**How do you stain a wet mount? ** In order to stain a wet mount, you just have to put a drop or two of the stain onto the side of the smaller square glass, covering the cell/s. Then tilt the whole glass structure in different directions to surround the cell/s with the stain. Put a few drops of water onto same spot you originally dripped stain onto, and then tilt in different directions, so that the stain isn’t covering up all of the cell/s from the microscope.

By Hannah and Madeleine