New
New
Year 10
Edexcel
Higher

Light microscopy: observing and drawing cells

I can use a light microscope to observe and produce scientific drawings of cells.

New
New
Year 10
Edexcel
Higher

Light microscopy: observing and drawing cells

I can use a light microscope to observe and produce scientific drawings of cells.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A light microscope can be used to observe animal and plant cells.
  2. The parts of a light microscope and their functions.
  3. The sequence of steps setting up a light microscope to observe cells, including changing the magnification and focus.
  4. Observations from a light microscope can be recorded in a labelled scientific line drawing with an indication of scale.
  5. The magnification and real size of structures observed with a microscope can be calculated.

Common misconception

Cells are inert 'building blocks' like bricks. Microscopes can see structures as small as molecules.

The lesson explores what cells are, including that they are living units, and considers what can and can't be seen using a light microscope.

Keywords

  • Light microscope - A type of microscope that uses visible light and a system of lenses to generate magnified images of small objects.

  • Lens - A piece of glass or other transparent material with curved sides, used in a microscope to magnify objects.

  • Magnification - Making small objects appear larger in order to see more detail.

  • Focus - A point where light rays converge to form an image.

Pupils should be given hands-on experience of setting up and focussing a light microscope for themselves, and using it to observe cells. The method can be provided as a worksheet by printing the Additional Material.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Light microscopes, pre-prepared slides.

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.
Starting with the smallest, sort the following in size order.
1 - an atom
2 - a molecule
3 - nucleus of a cell
4 - a cell
Q2.
Which structure contains genetic material, which controls the cell's activities?
Correct Answer: nucleus
Q3.
Which sub-cellular structure is responsible for the synthesis of proteins in a cell?
Correct Answer: ribosome
Q4.
A permanent is a subcellular structure that is found in plant cells but not animal cells.
Correct Answer: vacuole
Q5.
are the site of respiration in a cell.
Correct Answer: mitochondria, mitochondrion
Q6.
Which piece of apparatus is used to view cells?
hand lens
telescope
Correct answer: microscope
binoculars

6 Questions

Q1.
Which part of the microscope is the arrow pointing to?
An image in a quiz
light source
eyepiece lens
objective lens
Correct answer: stage
Q2.
Which part of the microscope is the arrow pointing to?
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: eyepiece lens, eye piece lens
Q3.
Which part of the microscope is the arrow pointing to?
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: objective lens
Q4.
What is the purpose of the coarse adjustment knob on a microscope?
to fine-tune the focus of the specimen
Correct answer: to quickly bring the specimen into rough focus
to switch between different objective lenses
to adjust the intensity of the light source
Q5.
Why is it important to start with the lowest magnification objective lens when using a compound microscope?
Correct answer: to maximize the field of view
to prevent damage to the objective lenses
to enhance resolution and clarity
to speed up the focusing process
Q6.
What is the function of the fine adjustment knob on a microscope?
to change the objective lens
to quickly bring the specimen into focus
to adjust the intensity of the light source
Correct answer: to fine-tune and sharpen the focus of the specimen

Additional material

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