Question

how to use a microscope

• pre - lab discussion

when you view an object through a microscope, you place the object on a glass slide. the slide may be either a dry - mount or a wet - mount slide. in a dry - mount slide, the object to be examined is placed on the slide and covered with a small square of plastic called a coverslip. in a wet - mount slide, a drop of liquid is placed over the object before being covered with a coverslip. in this investigation, you will learn how to correctly prepare a wet - mount slide and how to observe an object under the microscope.

1. when you carry a microscope, why should you carry it with one hand on the arm of the microscope and the other hand under the base?
2. why should you hold a microscope slide by its edge?

Explanation:

1. Carrying a microscope with one hand on the arm and the other under the base provides stability, preventing it from falling and getting damaged.
2. Holding a microscope slide by the edges avoids getting fingerprints or oils from fingers on the viewing - area of the slide, which could interfere with the microscopic view and potentially contaminate the sample.

Answer:

1. To provide stability and prevent damage.
2. To avoid contaminating the sample and interfering with the view.