01/2. Studying a sample with a microscope!

2020-02-24T14:58:47+02:00

Prepare your sample

The following things are required:

Optional additions:

Different dyes to colour the samples (methylene blue is a good basic colour, although it can make a mess)

Do the following:

Use the knife and the pinchers to prepare as thin and translucent a sample as possible. The sample should be so thin that you can (almost) see through it with the naked eye.
The sample does not need to be very large.
Place a drop of water on the preparation glass.
Place the sample on top of the water on the preparation glass
Caregully cover the sample with a cover glass.

Studying the sample with a microscope:

Place the sample on the preparation table of the microscope.
Attach the preparation glass to the microscope with clips, if your microscope includes them.

Common problems:

1. "I can't see anything!"

Check the lamp, the diaphragm, and the object lens of the microscope. Make sure that they are in their correct positions.
Check that the sample is placed correctly on the preparation table of the microscope.

2. "I can only see a weird dark mess!"

The sample is too thick. Use the pinchers and the knife to make a thinner sample.

3. "I can see many black-edged circles!"

Make sure that the sample is completely on top of the water and that no air bubbles are visible.,
If there is an air bubble under the preparation glass, apply some pressure to it with the pinchers.
If there is too little water under the sample, add some water from the pipette on the edge of the preparation glass

4. "I can't prepare a sample!"

Exercises