New
New
Year 7

Observing cells with a light microscope

I can use a light microscope to observe cells.

New
New
Year 7

Observing cells with a light microscope

I can use a light microscope to observe cells.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. All organisms are made up of living building blocks called cells.
  2. Cells are usually too small to see with the unaided eye.
  3. The cells that make up tissue on a slide can be observed using a light microscope.
  4. Changing the magnification and focus of a light microscope enables cell structures to be observed.

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

  • Cell - A cell is the smallest living building block of a living organism.

  • Lens - A lens is a piece of curved glass which focuses light to alter the size of the image.

  • Light microscope - A light microscope is a piece of equipment that uses lenses to focus light and enlarge the object.

  • Focus - Adjusting the focus of a lens makes an image clearer.

  • Magnification - Increasing the magnification of an object makes it look bigger.

In the final learning cycle, 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

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.
Which of the listed words is a a scientific term for looking at a living organism?
investigate
watch
Correct answer: observe
view
Q2.
Choose the correct name for this piece of apparatus
An image in a quiz
microscope
teloscope
Correct answer: magnifying glass
Q3.
A living is the scientific name for things that carry out the common life processes at some point in their life cycle.
Correct Answer: organism
Q4.
What could you do to this image of a bee to make it easier to see the detail?
An image in a quiz
make it lighter
Correct answer: make it bigger
make it smaller
make it darker
Q5.
A light source is important for humans to see objects in detail. Choose the image that was taken with more light available.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Q6.
All living are made up of smaller building living blocks called cells, these can be viewed using a microscope.
Correct Answer: organisms, organism

6 Questions

Q1.
All living organisms are made up of living building blocks called .
Correct Answer: cells, cell
Q2.
Match the keyword to the correct definition.
Correct Answer:focus,makes an image clearer

makes an image clearer

Correct Answer:magnification,makes an image bigger

makes an image bigger

Q3.
Match the parts of the microscope to a description of their job.
Correct Answer:Light source,Provides light to see through the specimen.

Provides light to see through the specimen.

Correct Answer:Objective lens,To magnify the image to make it bigger.

To magnify the image to make it bigger.

Correct Answer:Stage,To place the slide on.

To place the slide on.

Correct Answer:Focusing wheel,To focus the image, to make it clearer.

To focus the image, to make it clearer.

Q4.
Put these steps in order to describe the method of viewing a cell using a microscope.
1 - Place the slide on the stage and turn on the light.
2 - Turn to the lowest objective lens.
3 - Turn the coarse focusing wheel until the image is clear to see.
4 - Turn the fine focusing wheel to make the image very clear.
5 - Increase the size of the objective lens.
Q5.
Which image has a higher magnification?
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Q6.
How could this image be improved to make it clearer?
An image in a quiz
Change the size of the objective lens.
Turn up the brightness of the light.
Correct answer: Turn the focusing wheel.

Additional material

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