Topic Six (1.6): Observing cells
Objectives
By the end of this topic you should be able to:
- describe what a cell is;
- explain how to use a microscope to observe a cell.
Introduction
You can find out in this topic all about using a microscope to observe cells which we can't see with our eyes.
Working through your coursebook
Read pages 12–15 in Activate 1.
- If you have access to a microscope look at items that will allow light through such as feathers, hair, thin paper or material and onion skin. Onion skin is particularly good because you can see the ‘cells’ that Robert Hooke saw. (The List of Apparatus
Download List of Apparatus suggests a microscope supplier.)
- Don't worry if you don't have access to a microscope! You can have a go at this tutorial where you can try using a virtual microscope yourself (click the forward arrow on the menu at the top, to move to the next step):
EXPLORE - Virtual Microscope tutorial (University of Washington) Links to an external site.
- Use pages 14–15 and the video below to help you to complete worksheet 2:
WATCH - Microscope parts (YouTube)
COMPLETE - The Compound Microscope Worksheet Download COMPLETE - The Compound Microscope Worksheet
Review
Check you know the parts of a microscope:
COMPLETE - B1 1.1 Interactive screen: What's in a name? Links to an external site.
Support activity for this topic
Still a bit unsure about magnification or what you can see through a microscope? Have a go at this Kerboodle activity:
COMPLETE - B1 1.2 Skills interactive: Microscopes and cells (Kerboodle) Links to an external site.
Extension activity for this topic
You could find out a bit more about the invention of the light microscope and how we now have electron microscopes:
WATCH - The history of the microscope (Twig) - [Not available on sample course]
Check your answers
CHECK - The Compound Microscope Worksheet - Mark Scheme Download CHECK - The Compound Microscope Worksheet - Mark Scheme