Module 2: Lab 2 Introduction to Microscopy using Eukaryotic Organisms

Microscopy is the scientific technique to observe objects that are too small to be seen by the naked eye. Microscopes are the tools that magnify (the process of enlarging the appearance of an object) and resolve (distinguishing two points as being separate) the minute structures such as cells, bacteria, protozoa, and their contents.

An object must measure about 100 micrometers (µm) to be visible to an average human eye without a microscope. Typical animal cells measure roughly 10 µm across but are still microscopic (require a microscope to be visible). Protists, while diverse in size, generally range from 5 micrometers to 2-3 millimeters in length, Bacterial cells are typically about 1 µm, and viruses can be 10 times smaller than bacteria.

In this course, you will learn the skill of using light microscopy to identify microorganisms (too minute to see by the naked eye but visible through microscopy). You may be required to prepare wet mount slides using an environmental sample such as cultured pond water to identify eukaryotic microorganisms. Your institution may present you with prepared dry-mount slides to study the pathogenic (disease-causing) microorganisms in humans.

To achieve these objectives: [Edit these items to match your resources and activities.]

1. Read the Module 2 Introduction
2. Read Chapter # in Textbook Title, Article Title, etc. [Include all reading assignments here that are outside of Moodle. Be as concise as possible. More information can be included in the third-party section below, if necessary.]
3. Complete the [specific activities in the module. Include all in the order you want them completed. If an activity supports the development of foundational and/or industry-specific digital skills, note the skill to which it aligns]

Module Pressbooks Resources and Activities

You will find the following resources and activities in this module at the Pressbooks website. Click on the links below to access or complete each item.