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Essay on Microscope Lab Report

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Lab Work Not Included

The purpose for completing this lab was to observe how microscopes function. The invention & evolution of the microscope has been an ongoing process since the Middle Ages, when the first convex magnifying lenses were introduced. In 1590, the Jansen Brothers invented the first compound microscope (two or more lenses).However, Antony van Leevenwenhoek created the first “true” microscope, in 1665, with 300x magnification & unbelievable resolution. During the late 1700’s, the microscope was reinvented with 1500x magnification. The most recent advancement in microscopes is the electron microscope, which was invented in 1930. This particular model uses an electron beam, instead of light & 4,000,000x magnifications with …show more content…

These lenses are held by the revolving nosepiece. The stage is the platform where you place your slide. The details of the specimen on the slide can be enhanced by using the fine & coarse adjustment knobs, which make very small or large adjustments, respectively. During the lab, I learned & practiced the different effects of fine & coarse adjustment on the microscope. The compound microscope uses these two knobs to improve the clarity of the object(s) being studied. First, I used the coarse knob to focus on the specimen. The image was still small at this magnification, but without this step, I wouldn’t be able to find it on the higher powers. Once the image was focused, we switched to low power and refocused with the coarse knob. Next, we switched to high power and focused with the fine adjustment. Finally, we adjusted the diaphragm because the specimen was too dark. I also learned how to make a wet mount. The procedure of making the first wet mount was started by cutting a lowercase letter “e” from a piece of newspaper. Next, I used a medicine dropper to put a drop of water on the center of the slide. Then, I put the “e” on the drop of water. Finally, I lowered the cover slip at approximately at 45angle, so it would prevent the formation of air bubbles. Microscopes are an important learning tool when doing scientific experiments. Throughout the lab, I learned the history of the microscope and the

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