FREE ESSAY ON THE MICROSCOPE EXPERIMENT - 1 (CELLS)

THE MICROSCOPE EXPERIMENT - 1 (CELLS)

THE MICROSCOPE 
EXPERIMENT - 1
BACKGROUND:
The use of a microscope is to provide a magnified view of objects (that are being
analysed) that are otherwise to small to be seen by the naked eye. They can be described
according to their illumination and lens arrangement.
(i) Microscopes are able to use either light or electrons as their illumination source,
which are respectively known as light powered and electron microscopes.
(ii) Monocular microscopes have a single eye piece where as binocular microscopes posses
two eye pieces, position side by side for simultaneous viewing with both eyes. 
(iii) A simple microscope consists of one single lens system where as a compound
microscope consists of two main lens systems, an ocular and objective, which are
superimposed over each other to provide greater magnification.
In Biology, microscopes can also be described according to some specific purpose such as
dissecting microscopes, which are commonly referred, as dissectors are especially
suitable for use while dissecting very small or delicate specimens. 
Microscopes are usually equipped with a series of interchangeable eyepiece lenses
(oculars), each with different individual magnifications. Majority of ocular
magnification is as followed: X4, X5, X6, X7, X8, X10, X12, and X15.
On a typical monocular microscope objectives magnification found is as followed:
X4 = SCANNING POWER = S.P.
X10 = LOW POWER = L.P.
X40 = HIGH POWER = H.P.
To find the overall magnification factor obtained when using any microscope is calculated
by the following mathematical formula:
OCULAR magnification X OBJECTIVE magnification = OVERALL magnification
The condenser lens is situated below the stage and causes light rays to converge on to
the specimen situated on the stage, thus illuminating is adequately when magnified by the
viewing lens.
The amount of light passing through the condenser lens can be varied by opening and
closing the iris diaphragm, situated at the bottom of the condenser.
AIM:
(i) To become familiar with the features and function of the monocular and stereo
microscopes.
(ii) To gain first hand experience in sketching scientific diagrams from prepared
slides.
EQUIPMENT USED: 
Monocular microscopes, microscope lamp, lens cleaning tissue, lens-cleaning fluid, and
various prepared slides.
PROCEDURE:
When using a monocular microscope, adjust the condenser lens so that it comes to rest
against the bottom of the stage. Wind it down about 2mm below this level; now it's in the
ideal position. The iris diaphragm should also be readjusted each time a slide is moved
from S.P to L.P. H.P. 
Obtain the first of the prepared slides and examine it under the scanning power. (ALWAYS
begin with the S.P. then the L.P. and finally the H.P.! NEVER the other way round!).
Adjust the course focussing mechanism followed by the fine focus knob - this will assure
maximum clarity. Having adjusted the course focus whilst operating the scanning power
setting, there is no need to use it again with either the L.P. or H.P. magnifications.
Use only the FINE FOCUS with these magnifications. 
N.B When operating either focussing mechanism, ALWAYS adjust the two wheels TOWARDS
yourself, NEVER away from you! This will insure that the objective moves AWAY from the
side NOT towards it, therefore the objective it CANNOT be rammed through the specimen
slide! 
In Scientific sketching, try to keep BOTH eyes open, using one to peer down the
microscope, and using the other eye to draw with. In addition, the sketches should ALWAYS
include: A Title, Magnification factor, Labels (if possible) and be approximately ? -1
full page in size. 
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION:
Microscopes have many components, but one component was used at all times and most likely
without even noticing you used it. That component is sits at the top of the microscope,
which you look through and it is call the ocular. The ocular is interchangeable with
different individual magnifications including X10, which was used in examining all
prepared slides. Therefore, even if the objective magnification was X4 (S.P.), X10
(L.P.), or X40 (H.P.) the ocular did not change it was still the same magnification of
X10. By using the mathematic formula of Ocular times, Objective will equal to the overall
magnification you were using while examining a slide. 
These magnifications were: 
OCULAR X OBJECTIVE = OVERALL MAGNIFICATION FACTOR
X10 X X4 = 40 times = S.P.
X10 X X10 = 100 times = L.P.
X10 X X40 = 400 times = H.P.
The specimens that are on slides come in many come colours and shape it depends on what
specimen and which stain is used. In this experiment the prepared side specimens that
were examined were an Ovary and Testes Colon Appendix that were pink, Striated Muscle was
a purple red colour, and Grass Root Tip came in three colours red light blue and cream. 
Each slide was examined with Scanning power, Low power, and High power, there are
tremendous amounts of differences between the sides. Cause of out five the sides selected
four are of from different parts of an animal and one is a plant slide. The main
difference is between the magnification factors, scanning power (S.P.) is the only one
that enables you to view all or most of the specimen section. Viewing in S.P. the
specimen section structure is very cramped with every thing very close together (refer to
sketches). When changing to low power (L.P.) the specimen section structure is larger
where the section is a lot more free enabling the viewer to view in between the sections
components (refer to sketches). High power (H.P.) is where the specimen section
structures is huge and more unattached compared to those of the S.P. and L.P. Therefore,
in H.P. the structure can look total different from S.P. and L.P., the specimen section
almost like it's a completely different slide altogether. 
By examining the sides specimens and the sketches, this was drawn while the slides
specimens were under the microscope. Through these sketches and titles, it gave out
enough information to seek out and research the suitable reference to complete this
report. 
OVARY
Cortex - The cortex of the ovary is covered by a modified mesothelium, the germinal
epithelium. Deep to this simple cuboidal to simple squamous epithelium is the tunica
albuginea, the fibrous connective tissues capsule of the ovary. The remainder of the
ovarian connective tissue is more cellular and is referred to as the stroma. The cortex
houses the ovarian follicles in various stages of development.
Primordial Follicles - Primordial follicles consist of a primary oocyte surrounded by a
single layer of flattened follicular (granulosa) cells.
Primary Follicular - (A) Unilaminar Primary Follicles - consists of a primary oocyte
surrounded by a single layer of cuboidal follicular cells. 
Primary Follicular - (B) Multilaminar Primary Follicles - consists of a primary oocyte
surrounded by several layers of follicular cells. The zona pellucida is visible. The
theca interna is beginning to organised.
Secondary (Vesicular) Follicle - The secondary follicle is distinguished from the primary
multilaminar follicles by its larger size, by a well-established theca interna and theca
externa. Especially by the presence of follicular fluid in small cavities formed from
intercellular space of the follicular cells. These fluids - filled cavities are known as
Call - Exner bodies. 
Graafian (Mature) Follicles - the graafian follicles is very large, the Call - Exner
bodies have coalesced into a single space and the antrum is filled with follicular fluid.
The wall of the antrum is referred to as the membrane granulosa and the region of the
oocyte and the follicular cells jutting into the antrum is the cumulus oophorus. The
single layer of follicular cells immediately surrounding the oocyte is the corona
radiata. Long apical processes of these cells extend into the zona pellucida. The theca
interna and theca externa are well developed; the former displays numerous cells and
capillaries, where as the latter is less cellular and more fibrous.
Atretic Follicles - (A) Atretic follicles are in the state of degeneration. They are
characterised in later stages by the presence of fibroblasts in the follicle and a
degenerated oocyte.
Medulla - (B) The Medulla of the ovary is composed of a relativity loose fibroblastic
connective tissue housing and extensive vascular supply including spiral arteries and
convoluted veins. 
Corpus Luteum - (C) Subsequent to the extrusion of the secondary oocyte with its
attendant follicular cells, the remnant of the Graafian follicle becomes partly filled
with blood and is known as the corpus hemorrhagicum. Cells of the membrane granulosa are
transformed into large granulosa lutein cells. Moreover, the cells of the theca interna
also increase in size to become theca lutein cells, although they remain smaller than the
granulosa lutein cells.
Corpus Albicans - (D) The corpus albicans is a corpus luteum that is in the process of
involution a hyalinization. It becomes fibrotic with few fibroblasts among the
intercellular materials. Eventually, the corpus albicans will become scar tissue on the
ovarian surface. 
TESTES
Capsule - The fibromuscular connective tissue capsule of the testes is known as the
tunica albuginea, whose inner vascular layer is the tunica vasculosa. The capsule is
thickened at the mediastinum testis from which septa emanate subdividing the testis into
approximately 250 incomplete lobuli testis, with each containing one to four seminiferous
tubules embedded in a connective tissue stroma. 
Seminiferous Tubules - Each highly convoluted seminiferous tubule is composed of a
fibromuscular tunica propria, which is separated from the seminiferous epithelium by a
basal membrane. 
Seminiferous Epithelium - The seminiferous epithelium is a composed of sustentacular
sertoli cells and a stratified layer of developing male gametes. Sertoli cells establish
a blood - testis barrier by forming occluding junctions with each other, thus subdividing
the seminiferous tubule into adluminal and basal compartments. The basal compartments
house spermatogonia A (both light and dark), spermatogonia B, and the basal aspects of
sertoli cells. The adluminal compartment contains the apical portions of sertoli cells
primary spermatocytes, secondary spermatocytes, spermatids, and spermatozoa. 
Tunica Propria - The tunica propria consist of loose collagenous connective tissue,
fibroblasts, and myoid cells. 
Stroma - loose, vascular, connective tissue stroma surrounding seminiferous tubules
houses small clusters of large, vacuolated - appearing endocrine cells, in the
interstitial cells (of leydig). 
COLON, APPENDIX
Mucosa - the mucosa presents no specialised folds. It is thicker than that of the small
intestine.
Epithelium - (A) The simple columnar epithelium has goblet cells and columnar cells.
Lamina Propria - (B) The crypts of lieberkuhn of the lamina propria are longer than those
of the small intestine. They are composed of numerous goblet cells, a few APUD cells, and
stem cells. Lymphatic nodules are frequently present.
Muscularis Mucosae - (C) The muscularis mucosae consist of inner circular and outer
longitudinal smooth muscle layers.
Submucosa - The submucosa resembles that of the jejunum or ileum.
Muscularis Externa - The muscularis externa is composed of inner circular and outer
longitudinal smooth muscle layers. The outer longitudinal muscle is modified into teniae
coli, three flat ribbons of longitudinally arranged smooth muscle. These are responsible
for the formation of haustra coli (sacculation). Auerbach's plexus occupies its position
between the two layers. 
Serosa - (A) The colon possesses both serosa and adventitia. The serosa presents small,
fat - filled pouches, the appendices epiploicae. 
Appendix - (B) The lumen of the appendix is usually stellate shaped, and it may be
obliterated. The simple columnar epithelium covers a lamina propria rich in lymphatic
nodules and some crypts of lieberkuhn. The muscularis mucosae, submucosa, and muscularis
externa conform to the general plan of the digestive tract. It is covered by serosa.
Anal Canal - (C) The anal canal presents longitudinal folds, anal columns, that become
jointed at the orifice of the anus to form anal valves and intervening anal sinuses. The
epithelium changes from the simple columnar of the rectum, to simple cuboidal at the anal
valves, to epidermis at the orifice of the anus. Circumanal glands, hair follicles, and
sebaceous glands are present here. The submucosa is rich in vascular supply, while the
muscularis externa forms the internal anal sphincter muscle. An adventitia connects the
anus to the surrounding structures. 
STRIATED MUSCLES
Longitudinal Section - (A) Connective tissue elements are clearly identifiable because of
the presence of the nuclei that are considerably smaller than those of cardiac muscle
cells. The connective tissue is rich in vascular components, especially capillaries. The
endomysium is present but indistinct. 
Longitudinal Section - (B) Cardiac muscle cells from long, branching, and anastomosing
muscle fibers Bluntly oval nuclei are large, are centrally located within the cell, and
appearing somewhat vesicular. A and I bands are present but are not as clearly defined as
in skeletal muscle. Intercalated discs, marking the boundaries of contiguous cardiac
muscle cell, may be indistinct unless special staining techniques are used. Purkinje
fibers are occasionally evident. 
ROOT TIP
As root tissues differentiate behind the growing tip, they form a pattern of cylinders
(tubes) within the cylinders. Each cylinder is composed of tissue that has a specific
role to play for the plant. 
Epidermis - The outermost cylinder is only cell in thickness and is called the epidermis.
This encloses and protects the underlying tissues. Some epidermis cells differentiate
into hair cells. These stick out into surrounding soil spaces and absorb water and
selected mineral ions.
Cortex Parenchyma - A very thick cylinder is found just under the epidermis. This called
the cortex or cortex parenchyma. Parenchyma cells store excess nutrients, usually in the
form of starch. These cells are loosely packed so that the spaces between them can direct
water and mineral ions coming from root hairs and cortex spaces and directs them into the
central vascular core.
Pericycle - Another thin cylinder is found under the endodermis, the pericycle. Pericycle
cells can function like meristem and mitotically produce secondary or branch roots. The
pericycle also constitutes the outer boundary of the vascular core, a structure that
contains the internal, liquid - transport highways of the plant in the form of highly
specialised tube like or conducting tissues. 
Vascular Cylinder - The vascular cylinder is comprised of tissues that transport
nutrients. Water and mineral ions taken in by root hairs and concentrated into the core
by the endodermis are transported up into the plant shoot by xylem tubes. Sugar - rich
fluid, sucrose, made in the leaves as glucose is transported by phloem sieve tubes into
the root core, where it is distributed to root cells for energy production or storage as
starch in the cortex parenchyma. Xylem and phloem tissues are excellent examples of how
cell structure dictates function.
Xylem Cells - (A) Xylem cells have to die before they can serve the transport needs of
the plant. Dead xylem cells leave behind a thick, hollow, tubular wall, which joins end
to end with other xylem walls to form a microscopic but strong and fixable tube, which
extends from root to leaf. Xylem walls have slit - like openings or pits, which provide
for the sideways transfer of water and mineral ions into surrounding tissue. Close
examination of these wall shows that their thickness is due to cellulose and a cement
like substance call lignin. Lignin creates the wood in woody plants some walls are
reinforced with internal rings or spirals. These rings of lignin help to support the
plant. Xylem tubes are sometimes called vessels, i.e. composed of vessel cells, or
elements. Primitive plants such as pines and firs have tracheid xylem which thinner walls
and tapered ends.
Phloem - (B) Phloem is made up of two basic cell types, both of which are living when
they serve the transport needs of the plant. The lager cell type is a sieve tube member;
the small is a companion cell. The sieve tubes member, though living, does not have a
nucleus and therefore does not control its own metabolism. What the needs it has are
apparently provide for by the tiny companion cell that is attached to the sieve tube
member. 
Sieve tubes members are very much smaller and have thinner walls than xylem, but like
xylem, they join end to end to form sieve tubes that extend leaves to roots. These take
their name from the tiny, sieve like pores in their walls and the larger pores called
sieve plates that separate one member from another. Pores provide for the horizontal and
vertical movement of the sugar - rich sap that slowly moves down from the leaves,
supplying energy, and elements to all plant tissues. Large parenchymal cells called pith
may also be associated with the vascular cylinder phloem.