Different types of microscopes have been used to look at human cells, identify minerals, solve crimes, see how freezing affects food, study metals, and find the causes of crop diseases. Microscopes are an essential tool in medicine too. They have been used to identify the causes of many deadly diseases like malaria and tuberculosis. Microscopes can also help to find out why a person or animal died. Scientists can even use a microscope to figure out where illegal drugs come from. For example, looking at opium crystals through a microscope reveals different shapes depending on where the poppies they came from were grown. This information can help pinpoint the source of illegal drugs. You can do all kinds of amazing things at home with a microscope. Try looking at plants, paper, cloth, sugar, pond water, even the odd flea. Lots of aquarium supply stores sell tiny shrimp, called brine shrimp, which are really interesting to look at through a microscope.
The possibilities for what you can find out with a microscope are endless. And who knows you might identify something new and it may even get named after you! The microscope is one of the most important tools available to the biologist. There are many different types of microscopes that serve specific needs, including both compound and dissecting light microscopes. Each student will be assigned a compound and dissecting microscope.
Although you share your microscopes with students in other laboratory sections, you are responsible for seeing that the microscope is properly cleaned, covered and returned to the proper spot in the microscope cabinets when your class is over. This exercise is designed to introduce the use of both kinds of light microscopes as well as to familiarize you with several biological organisms and techniques. A microscope should always be carried with both hands. Pick it up by the arm and support the base with your other hand. This delicate instrument can easily go out of alignment if it is handled roughly. You will only be able to carry one microscope or lamp at a time, if you are to avoid the possibility of damage. Before using your microscope on a laboratory exercise, thoroughly inspect the instrument as follows: Make sure it is clean. Oil and mounting medium not cleaned off can cause operating and visual distortion problems. Clean the ocular lenses with a piece of lens paper. Then clean the four objective lenses, 4X scanning-lens, 10X low-power lens, 40X high-power lens and 100X oil-immersion lens. Make sure all the parts are present and functioning. Check each objective to see that it is clean and focusing properly. If you have a problem with your microscope, report it to the instructor immediately.
