New
New
Year 11
AQA
Foundation

Observing xylem and phloem using a light microscope: practical

I can use a light microscope to observe xylem and phloem, and calculate the actual size of the structures.

New
New
Year 11
AQA
Foundation

Observing xylem and phloem using a light microscope: practical

I can use a light microscope to observe xylem and phloem, and calculate the actual size of the structures.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The parts of a light microscope and their functions.
  2. The method for using a light microscope to observe xylem and phloem, including changing the magnification and focus.
  3. Light microscopy can be used to observe xylem and phloem in a cross-section of a plant shoot, root or leaf.
  4. The magnification and actual size of structures observed with a microscope can be calculated.

Common misconception

Incorrectly calculating the total magnification by adding the magnification of the eyepiece lens to the magnification of the objective lens.

The correct way to calculate the total magnification (by multiplying the magnification of the eyepiece lens by the magnification of the objective lens) is practiced.

Keywords

  • Light microscope - an instrument that uses visible light and lenses to magnify a viewed specimen

  • Magnification - the number of times greater in size the viewed object is compared to its actual size

  • Xylem - specialised vessels in plants that transport water and mineral ions

  • Phloem - specialised vessels in plants that transport sugar, amino acids and other nutrients

The first learning cycle can be omitted if pupils are already secure in their knowledge of how to set up and use a light microscope to view a specimen on a slide.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Light microscope, pre-prepared microscope slides of cross-sections of plant shoot or leaf.

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - equipment

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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6 Questions

Q1.
What are the two main types of vascular tissues in plants?
roots and leaves
stems and flowers
Correct answer: xylem and phloem
Q2.
What is the function of xylem in plants?
produce flowers
transport sugar and dissolved nutrients
Correct answer: transport water and dissolved minerals
support the plant structure
Q3.
Which unit is used to measure very small structures, such as cells?
centimeters
Correct answer: micrometers
millimeters
Q4.
What unit is smaller than a micrometre?
centimetre
decimetre
millimetre
Correct answer: nanometre
Q5.
What is the function of phloem in plants?
to support the plant structure
Correct answer: to transport sugar and dissolved nutrients
to transport water and dissolved minerals
to produce flowers
Q6.
Match the letters from the image to their names.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer:A,eyepiece lens

eyepiece lens

Correct Answer:B,objective lenses

objective lenses

Correct Answer:C,light source

light source

Correct Answer:D ,focus wheel

focus wheel

6 Questions

Q1.
How do you calculate magnification?
magnification = actual size ÷ image size
Correct answer: magnification = image size ÷ actual size
magnification = image size × actual size
Q2.
Which of the following best describes phloem transport?
unidirectional
Correct answer: bidirectional
multidirectional
static
Q3.
What is the total magnification of a microscope with a 100x objective lens magnification and a 40x eyepiece lens magnification.
2.5x
140x
400x
Correct answer: 4000x
Q4.
A microscope has a total magnification of 400x. If it has a 100x objective lens magnification. What is the eyepiece lens magnification?
Correct Answer: 4x, 4, x4
Q5.
The image size of a specimen is...
Correct answer: the size of the specimen as it appears printed on paper.
the number of times bigger the object appears to be.
the size the specimen actually is.
Q6.
What is the actual size of the xylem vessel that appears to be 14 mm across in this image?
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: 0.035 mm, 0.035mm

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