M640x Microscope Set
Now place the prepared slide directly
under the objective on the microscope
stage (Fig. 3) securing with the stage
clips (Fig 4). The object/specimen
should be located directly over the
illumination (Fig. 8). At this point,
take a look through the eyepiece and
carefully turn the focus knob (Fig. 2)
until the image appears clear and
sharp. Now you can select a higher
magnification by slowly turning the
zoom eyepiece (Fig. 1). When the
zoom lens is completely turned out,
the magnification is increased by 62%.
If you would like an even higher level
of magnification, turn the objective
turret (Fig. 7) to a higher setting (10x
or 40x). Please note: You should
return the zoom to lowest power of
magnification.
Note:
You should always lower the
stage and return the zoom to lowest
power when rotating the objective
turret.
Each time the magnification changes
(eyepiece or objective change), the
image sharpness must be readjusted
with the focus knob (Fig. 2). When
doing this, make sure to be careful; if
you move the microscope stage too
quickly, the objective and the slide
could come into contact and cause
damage to the slide or the microscope.
For transparent objects (e.g.,
protozoa), the light shines from below,
through the opening in the microscope
stage and then through the object.
The light travels further through the
objective and eyepiece, where it
is also magnified, and finally goes
into the eye. This is transmitted light
microscopy. Many microorganisms
in water, many plant components
and the smallest animal parts are
already transparent in nature. Opaque
specimens, on the other hand, will
need to be prepared for viewing.
Opaque specimens can be made
transparent by a process of treatment
and penetration with the correct
materials (media), or by slicing.
You can read more about creating
specimens in the following sections.
Cleaning Tips
To ensure your microscope has a long
service life, clean the lens (objective
and eyepiece) only with soft lint
free cloth (e.g., microfiber). Do not
press hard as this might scratch
the lens. Ask your parents to help if
your microscope is really dirty. The
cleaning cloth should be moistened
with cleaning fluid and the lens wiped
clean using very little pressure. Make
sure your microscope is always
protected against dust and dirt. After
use
,
leave it in a warm room to dry off.
This microscope can be the gateway
to a fun, creative, learning process
and will open the door to advanced
knowledge of the world around you. It
allows you to explore the various fields
of science from Biology to Botany to
Chemistry and beyond, so have fun
exploring the exciting world of science.
Experiment Instructions
WARNING
• Keep chemicals and corrosive
liquids out of the reach of children.
• Do not ingest any chemicals.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with
soap under running water after use.
Introduction
Here are a few tips about how to take
a better look at the wonderful world
of microorganisms and crystals. For
example, you will learn how to prepare
your object, so that you can look at it
with the microscope. The numerous
experiments described should make
you curious and want to use your
microscope more.
What Kind of Objects?
With a magnifying glass, you
can look at non-transparent (i.e,
opaque) objects—for example, small
animals, parts of plants, tissues, etc.
Here, the light falls onto the object
and is reflected back through the
magnifying lens and into your eye.
With your microscope, however, you
can observe transparent objects, in
which the light from the lamp goes
through the opening on the stage
and your prepared specimen. Then
it passes through the objective, the
body of the microscope and the
eyepiece into your eye. In this way,
the microscope is only meant for
observing transparent objects. Many
microorganisms in water, parts of
plants and the tiniest animal parts are
naturally transparent. For other things,
we must make them transparent. We
may make them transparent through a
treatment or penetration with the right
materials (media), or by taking the
thinnest slices from them (using our
hand or a specimen slicer), and then
examine them. You’ll now find out how
this is done.
How to Produce Thin Specimen Slices
WARNING
Only do this with an adult’s
supervision. Ask your parents to help
you. As already mentioned, you need
to get the thinnest slices possible from
an object so that they are transparent
and can be looked at under the
microscope. First, you’ll need a
simple candle. Place the wax from the
candle in an old pot and heat it on the
stovetop until it becomes liquid. Now,
use tweezers to dip the object in the
liquid wax a few times. The wax is very
hot. Be careful. After each dip, allow
the wax to harden and then dip the
object into the wax again. When the
wax around the object has hardened
completely, you can use the specimen
slicer to cut thin slices from it. These
slices are to be laid on a slide and
covered with a cover slip.
The Production of Specimens
There are two basic types of specimens:
Permanent specimens and short-term
specimens.
Short-term Specimens
Short-term specimens are produced
from objects that you want to look
at, but don’t want to keep in your
specimen collection. These specimens
are only meant to be observed for
a short period of time, after which
they are disposed of. For short-term
specimens, place the object on the
slide and place a cover slip on top of
it. After looking at the object, clean
the slide and cover slip. One of the
secrets of successful observation with
microscope is the use of clean slides
and cover slips. Spots or stains would
only distract you when looking at an
object.
Need help? Call us toll-free at 855-863-4426.
No recognizable image
No Image
No Light
Turn on light
Readjust focus
Start with the lowest power
objective (4X) & lowest power
eyepiece (10X)
Center object on slide
Start with the lowest power
objective (4X) & lowest power
eyepiece (10X)
Replace batteries
Check ON/OFF position
Troubleshooting Table
Problem
Solution
