Now, turn on the light using the switch on the microscope base. You’ll find further tips about the light source in the next
section. Now, place a prepared slide (10) under the clips on the stage (4), directly under the objective (1). When you
take a look through the eyepiece, you can see the magnified specimen. At this point, you still might see a slightly fuzzy
picture. Adjust the image sharpness by slowly turning the focus knob (2). You can now select a higher magnification by
turning the objective turret
and selecting a different objective.
When you do so, note that the sharpness of the picture must be adjusted again for the higher magnification. Also, the
higher the magnification, the more light you will need for good illumination of the picture.
The wheel with pinhole apertures (13) below the microscope stage (4) will help you in viewing very bright or
clear-sighted preparations. Turn the wheel (13) till the best contrast is achieved.
For observation with the electronic light source (6) you need to insert 3 AA batteries 1.5 V, in the battery compartment
(8) on the base of the microscope (7). The battery compartment is opened using a Phillips screwdriver. Insert the
batteries with the correct polarity (+/- indication). Put the battery cover first into the small opening so that the lid fits
perfectly. Now you can tighten the screw. The lighting is switched on when you turn the switch on the microscope
base. Now you can observe in the same way as described in the previous section.
TIP:
The higher the magnification you use the more light is required for a good illumination of the picture. Therefore,
always start your experiments with a low magnification.
5. Smartphone holder
Attach the smartphone holder to the eyepiece.
The suction cups must be clean and free from dust and dirt. A slight moistening is helpful. Now press your
smartphone on the retaining plate and make sure that it is properly secured. As a backup, you should secure it with
the enclosed rubber strap. Smartphones with a rough surface will not hold as good as smartphones with a smooth
surface.
Now start the Camera app.
The camera needs to rest just above the eyepiece. Center the smartphone exactly over the eyepiece, so the image can
be seen precisely centered on your screen. In some cases you need to adjust with the zoom function to display the
image fullscreen. A light shading at the edges is possible.
Take the smartphone carefully off the holder after use.
NOTE:
Make sure that the smartphone can not slip out of the holder.
Oxybul eveil et jeux assumes no liability for any damages caused by a dropped smartphone.
6. Condition and prepare viewed objects
6.1. Condition
This microscope features transmitted light, so that transparent specimens can be examined.
If opaque specimens are being examined, the light from below goes through the specimen, lens and eyepiece to the
eye and is magnified en route (direct light principle). Some small water organisms, plant parts and animal compo-
nents are transparent by nature, but many others require pretreatment — that is, you need to make a thinnest
possible slice of the object by hand cutting or using a microtome, and then examine this sample.
4. Observation (electronic light source)
6.2. Creation of thin preparation cuts
Specimens should be sliced as thin as possible. A little wax or paraffin is needed to achieve the best results. Put the
wax into a heat-safe bowl and heat it over a flame until the wax is melted. You can use a candle flame to melt the
wax.
Then, dip the specimen several times in the liquid wax. Allow the wax that encases the specimen to harden. Use a
MicroCut or other small knife or scalpel to make very thin slices of the object in its wax casing.
DANGER !
Be extremely carfeful when dealing with hot wax, as there is a danger of being burned.
!
DANGER !
Be extremely careful when using the MicroCut, knife or scalpel. These instruments are very sharp and
pose a risk of injury.
!
Place the slices on a glass slide and cover them with another slide before attempting to view them with the
microscope.
6.3. Creation of your own preparation
Put the object to be observed on a glass slide and cover the object with a drop of distilled water using
the pipette (12).
Set a cover glass (available at a well-stocked hobby shop) perpendicular to the edge of the water drop, so that the
water runs along the edge of the cover glass. Now lower now the cover glass slowly over the water drop.
7. Experiments
Now that you're familiar with your microscope's functions and how to prepare slides, you can complete the following
experiments and observe the results under your microscope.
7.1. How do You Raise Brine Shrimp?
Accessories (from your microscope set):
1. Shrimp eggs
2. Sea salt,
3. Hatchery,
4. Yeast.
The Life Cycle of Brine Shrimp
Brine shrimp, or “Artemia salina,” as they are called by scientists, have an unusual and interesting life cycle. The eggs
produced by the female are hatched without ever being fertilized by a male shrimp. The shrimp that hatch from these
eggs are all females. In unusual circumstances, e.g. when the marsh dries up, the male shrimp can hatch. These
males fertilize the eggs of the females and from this mating, special eggs come about. These eggs, so-called “winter
eggs,” have a thick shell, which protects them. The winter eggs are very resistant and capable of survival if the marsh
or lake dries out, killing off the entire shrimp population. They can persist for 5-10 years in a “sleep” status. The eggs
hatch when the proper environmental conditions are reproduced. These are the type of eggs you have in your
microscope set..
The Incubation of the Brine Shrimp
In order to incubate the shrimp, you first need to create a salt solution that corresponds to the living conditions of the
shrimp. For this, put a half liter of rain or tap water in a container. Let the water sit for approx. 30 hours. Since the water
evaporates over time, it is advisable to fill a second container with water and let it sit for 36 hours. After the water has
sat stagnant for this period of time, add half of the included sea salt to the container and stir it until all of the salt is
dissolved. Now, put a few eggs in the container and cover it with a dish. Place the glass container in a bright location,
but don’t put it in direct sunlight. Since you have a hatchery, you cal also add the salt solution along with a few eggs to
each of the four compartments of the tank. The temperature should be around 25º. At this temperature, the shrimps
will hatch in about 2-3 days. If the water in the glass evaporates, add some water from the second container.
The Brine Shrimp under the Microscope
The animal that hatches from the egg is known by the name “nauplius larva.” With the help of a pipette, you can place
a few of these larvae on a glass slide and observe them. The larvae will move around in the salt water by using their
hair-like appendages. Take a few larvae from the container each day and observe them under the microscope. In
case you’ve hatched the larvae in a hatchery, simply take off the cover of the tank and place the tank on the stage.
Depending on the room temperature, the larvae will be mature in 6-10 weeks. Soon, you will have had raised a whole
generation of brine shrimp, which will constantly grow in numbers.
4. Observation (electronic light source)
