Microscopy of human blood cells and blood vessels
I can use a light microscope to observe blood cells and blood vessels.
Microscopy of human blood cells and blood vessels
I can use a light microscope to observe blood cells and blood vessels.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The parts of a light microscope and their functions, and the sequence of steps for setting up a light microscope.
- A light microscope can be used to observe blood cells on a prepared slide.
- Observations from a light microscope can be recorded in a labelled scientific line drawing with an indication of scale.
- A light microscope can be used to observe sections of blood vessels and differences in the structures of their walls.
- Explaining observations from microscopy of differences in the walls of different blood vessels.
Keywords
Light microscope - An instrument that uses visible light and lenses to magnify viewed objects.
Lens - Glass or plastic disc that refracts light to increase magnification.
Focus - To make an image sharper and clearer.
Magnification - The number of times greater in size the viewed object is compared to its actual size.
Red blood cell - A cell that transports oxygen around the body.
Common misconception
Scientific drawings made using a microscope are difficult to do and often sketched like an artwork. The requirements are clear and precise and require practise to get right.
The expectations for scientific drawings are clearly stated and shown visually. Opportunities to practise drawing different structures are included throughout the lesson.
To help you plan your year 10 biology lesson on: Microscopy of human blood cells and blood vessels , download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 biology lesson on: Microscopy of human blood cells and blood vessels , download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 biology lessons from the Transport and exchange surfaces in humans unit, dive into the full secondary biology curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Light microscope, slides of human blood smears and blood vessels.
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Starter quiz
6 Questions
transports blood away from the heart
liquid that transports cells and dissolved substances
pumps blood around the body
transports blood back to the heart
transported from body cells to the lungs
transported from the digestive system to body cells
transported from the lungs to body cells
transported from body cells to the excretory system
Exit quiz
6 Questions
eyepiece lens
objective lenses
light source
focus wheels
