Biology 201

Introduction to the Microscope

Laboratory Safety and Etiquette

Cabrillo College Department of Biology

Laboratory Rules

No eating or drinking in labsDo not enter stockroom or back hallsClean up after yourself

Laboratory Etiquette

Clean your personal workspace after use• Wipe down benches with disinfectant before and after

use.

Ensure that no trash is left behindNo trash in the sinksPush in chairsPlace lab items back on carts and trays

Learning Center & Open Labs

The LC and open labs are a bonus, not a right, your flexibility is appreciated

Hours are posted on LC and lab doors Hours are subject to change without noticeSome study items may not be available a

day or two before an examDon’t wait until the last day to study

Laboratory Safety

1. Laboratory Hygiene

2. Sharps Safety

3. Safety Equipment

4. Fire Safety

5. Chemical Safety

1. Laboratory Hygiene

Scrub hands thoroughly when finishedAvoid cross contamination

• Do not touch self, faucets, doorknobs, notebooks, pens etc. with gloves on.

• Keep a pen or two in your drawer for lab use only

Clean and disinfect your workspace

2. Sharps Safety

Sharps include• Razor and scalpel blades• Needles and pins• Microscope cover slips• Broken glass

Place sharps in sharps boxesBroken Glass into glass box (ask for help)NO SHARPS OR GLASS IN THE TRASH

3. Safety Equipment

Do not hesitate to use safety equipment. It is for student use as well as instructor use.

Shower and eyewash (15 min. soak)First aid kitFire extinguisher, Fire blanket, Alarm pulls

4. Fire Safety

Never leave flames unattendedDo not use flammables near ignition

sourcesFire Extinguishers

• Pull ring, aim at fire’s base, squeeze handle, sweep back and forth (evacuate if >1m3)

Fire BlanketFire alarm pulls

5. Chemical Safety

Wear gloves and glasses where appropriate

Follow instructor’s directionsDispose of waste properly-Do Not pour

down the drain

History of the Microscope

• Anton van Leeuwenhoek (1676) was first to see microorganisms

• Robert Hooke proposed “cell theory” and invented primitive compound microscopes

History of the Microscope

Metric Units

Properties of Light

Properties of Light

Properties of Light

• Oil matches the refraction index of glass

Types of Microscopes

• Dissection – for solid objects, low power

• Compound – for translucent objects, higher power

• Electron – any object, very high power

Types of Microscopes - Dissection

Types of Microscopes - Compound

Types of Microscopes - Electron