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Lukas


Luke and the small wonders of nature


Luke and his ant Tom will show you the microscopic world in detail. How does a microscope work? What must I pay attention to when using a microscope? What other things can I look at? Luke and Tom are here to answer all these questions and more!
Ready?



table of contents






Structure of a microscope

A microscope offers a unique opportunity to view your favourite objects up close and in more detail. There are two main types of microscope, reflected light microscopes and transmitted light microscopes.

Auflichtmikroskop
Reflected light microscopes

As the name suggests, reflected light microscopes illuminate the object from above. This is especially suited to thicker objects such as stones, shells or coins.

Durchlichtmikroskop
Transmitted light microscope

With a transmitted light microscope, you can look through an object, as the light is shone from underneath through the object. This is particularly suitable for thin leaves, water samples and thin sections.




Specimens

Präparate

Making a permanent specimen

Watering can, fountain, stream – can’t wait to investigate the water from your garden or a park? Then take a water sample and let us prepare a specimen for your microscope so that you can take a closer look at what’s swimming around.

All you need to do is take a slide and add one or two drops of your sample with a pipette. Then place a coverslip over the slide. If necessary, press down slightly on the coverslip. You can remove the excess water with filter paper.

Would you like to colour your finished sample? If so, use a drop of ink from a normal ink cartridge, e.g. from your fountain pen. Place the ink on the left or right edge of the coverslip covering the slide. Hold a piece of blotting or filter paper on the opposite edge. As you will see for yourself, the ink will be absorbed and colour the entire sample. Now you are ready to inspect your first specimen – let’s go!

Preparing specimens - thin section

Did you find an interesting leaf during your last walk in the forest that you want to look at more closely under the microscope? If so, there’s much more to look at than just the surface. The inside of your leaf will also have all sorts of exciting things to discover.

I will show you how to make a thin section so that you can take a closer look inside the leaf:
1. Take a large carrot and cut off the tip.
2. Ask an adult to help you so that you don’t cut yourself.
3. Then cut a slit across the carrot in the place where you removed the tip. Place your leaf into the slit. To obtain a smooth edge, cut a small piece off the tip.
4. Then carefully peel off a piece of the carrot with a peeler to obtain a thin piece (thin section) of your leaf.
5. Add a drop of water to a slide and place the thin section onto the slide using a pair of tweezers. Now place the coverplate on top. You are now all set to start your investigations!





Your first observation

Lukas will show you how to make your first microscopic observations a resounding success!

1. Sit in front of your microscope and turn the tube towards you.

2. What would you like to look at first? To begin with, try something like a strand of hair or a pre-prepared specimen. Then place your specimen on the stage. Ensure that there is a sufficient gap between your specimen and the nosepiece, otherwise the lenses may get scratched.

3. Then choose the objective with the smallest magnification and turn it so that it is pointing at your sample. Important: When adjusting the nosepiece, always look from the side to check that there is a sufficient gap between the objective and the specimen. This allows you to better gauge the distance and ensure that you protect the sample as well as the lenses.

4. To adjust the focus, look through the eyepiece and turn the wheel on the side until the object comes into focus.

5. You can now move the slide with your sample back and forth on the stage to get a close-up view of every detail!

6. When you find something interesting, move the objective to the next magnification level. Look again from the side to check that there is a sufficient gap between the slide and the lens. Each objective will bring you closer to your discovery!

7. Finally, don’t forget to enter your exciting observations in your microscope journal.

tagebuch

Journal

Print a copy and enter your observations.






The structure of a cell

Cells are the building blocks of all living things. You and everything inside you also consists of cells – a mind-boggling number of them! For example, a person weighing 70 kg has about 30 billion cells. Incredible, right? Nature is also made of these tiny structures. Every animal, tree and plant is made of cells. But what does a cell really look like? Let’s take a look in more detail!

Cell membrane – This is the outer edge of the cell and ensures that the cell is an enclosed space.
Cell plasma or cytoplasm – This is the liquid in the cell, which consists primarily of water as well as protein, nutrients, sugar and salts.
Nucleus – This is the largest cell organelle and contains the DNA, the blueprint for the living organism.
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) – This is located around the nucleus and produces building blocks for the cell, such as proteins.
Golgi apparatus – This ensures that the different building blocks are transported from the ER to the Golgi apparatus and then on to their final destination. You can think of it as a post office.
Vesicle – These function like balloons, in which the building blocks are transported through the cell. They work like postmen who deliver parcels.
Mitochondria – This is the powerhouse of the cell where cell respiration occurs and energy is produced that the cell requires for survival.
Chromoplast – These provide the colour for the flowers and fruits of the plant.
Chloroplasts – These colour the cell green and conduct photosynthesis, i.e. convert carbon dioxide into oxygen.
Vacuole – This is a cavity within the cell that is filled with cell plasma and stores protein as well as toxins/bitter compounds.

Click to view colouring pictures of cells
Cell



Viruses and bacteria

Lukas is feeling a bit under the weather. He feels weak, has a sore throat and no appetite. But why is his body reacting in this way, and to what? In many cases, it is either viruses or bacteria that make life difficult for us with these symptoms. But do you know the difference between these two potential pathogens? That isn’t so obvious, because viruses and bacteria can be found almost everywhere in our daily life. However, they are so small that we can’t see them. Lukas also can’t identify them with his naked eye.

Let’s take a closer look at the differences between bacteria and viruses:

First of all, Lukas discovers than bacteria are much bigger than viruses. On average, they measure 1 micrometre across and are therefore up to 100 times bigger. This means that you can see them under an optical microscope.

Another important difference: Bacteria are living organisms, while with viruses the situation is not so straightforward. Bacteria are the most simple life form. They consist of a cell wall and genetic material as well as ribosomes, cytoplasm and an interior structure When they get into our body, bacteria can carry on dividing and reproducing by themselves, and don’t rely on other cells in our body. Their waste metabolic products make us sick.

Viruses, however, are another story: The question of whether viruses are classed as living organisms is still a matter of debate. However, the following things are clear: The cannot multiply by themselves, and require a host in order to reproduce. Viruses consist only of their genetic material, which is enclosed in a protein shell. They transmit this genetic material to a cell in our body so that the virus can multiply via cell division. If our own body cells are destroyed as a result, we get sick.

And what can Lukas do to get better? Antibiotics usually work against a bacterial infection, while other medicines can be helpful in the event of a viral infection. However, in both cases you should visit a doctor. Meanwhile, rest and enough sleep can never be a bad thing. :-)


Lukas

Lukas tip:

But not all bacteria make us ill! There are also good bacteria, such as in our gut. They help us to digest food.






Water creatures

Have you seen the video about our hay infusion? You won’t believe how many small animals and microorganisms there are after such a short period of time.

You can also find exciting water samples in nearby ponds, which you can use to make all sorts of discoveries. I’ve put together a small collection for you.

Do you recognise something in your sample?

Pantoffeltierchen
Paramecia

It looks like an imprint of a slipper, moves around via small cilia, and belongs to the ciliate group of microorganisms.

Amoebe
Amoeba

Amoebae do not have a fixed body shape, and change shape as they move.


Volvox
Volvox

A type of freshwater algae, volvox consists of a hollow body that is filled with gelatinous material. The next generation of Volvox cells grow inside the organism.

Sonnentier
Sun-animalcules

These creatures live up to their name, as their feet look like rays of sunshine. However, instead of being used to move around, the feet are used to catch prey.

Hüpferling
Cyclops

This creature only has one eye, and is a type of copepod. The front antenna allow it to swim forwards with jump-like movements.

Mondalge
Closterium

These organisms are easily recognisable from their striking shape that looks like a moon crescent.


Glockentierchen
Bell animalcules

These look like a bell on a stalk. This enables the bell animalcules to secure themselves to a surface, and contracts quickly into a ball when stimulated.

Rädertierchen
Rotifers

These creatures can be found worldwide and look like they have two wheels attached to their mouth. These are designed to sweep food into their mouth.






Experiments

Lukas has developed all sorts of experiments for you to try out. Many of these can be done at home with your microscope.

Black and white print

Take a small piece of paper from a newspaper and find a cutout with a black and white image and some text.
Search for a similar cutout from another magazine.

Now look at both snippets under your microscope one after another. What do you notice?

Reveal answer

  • Letters in the newspaper look more frayed, because the paper is much coarser.
  • Letters from the magazine look smoother and more complete.
  • The images of the newspaper consist of individual points that look dirty.
  • In the magazine, they look sharp.
  • Colour print

    Cut out a small piece from a coloured newspaper.
    Search for a similar cutout from another magazine.

    Now look at both snippets under your microscope one after another. What do you notice?

    Reveal answer

  • The coloured points overlap in the newspaper.
  • Sometimes there are even two colours on one point.
  • In the magazine, the points look sharper and have a greater contrast.
  • Note the different sizes of the points.

  • Pappe

    Textile fibres

    Take strands or small pieces of fabric from different items of clothing that you no longer need (e.g. hand towel, facecloth, socks, rain jacket, t-shirt, wool jumper).
    Place each piece under the microscope one after another and see what differences you notice.

    Now look at both snippets under your microscope one after another. What do you notice?

    Reveal answer

    Cotton fibres are of plant origin and look like a flat, twisted ribbon under the microscope. The fibres are thicker on the edges and rounder than in the middle. Cotton fibres are basically long, collapsed tubes.

    Linen fibres are also of plant origin - they are round and run in a straight line. The fibres shine like silk and have lots of bulges on the fibre tube.

    Silk is of animal origin and consists of solid fibres with a small diameter, unlike the hollow plant-based fibres. Each fibre is smooth and even and looks like a small glass rod.

    Wool fibres are also from animals - the surface consists of overlapping shells that look broken and wavy. If possible, compare wool fibres from different weaving mills and observe how the fibres look different. Experts can use this information to determine the wool’s country of origin.

    Artificial silk, as the name suggests, is produced artificially through a long chemical process. All fibres have hard, dark lines on the smooth, shiny surface. The fibres curl up in the same way after drying. Observe the similarities and differences.


    Garn

    Sugar

    Take some ordinary sugar from the kitchen and look at it under the microscope.

    Other possibilities: Icing sugar, flour, breadcrumbs, coarse salt, sand, potting soil, feathers, stones, leaves

    Reveal answer


    The crystals have a different structure.


    Zucker

    Make your own salt crystals

    Take a thin glass and fill it with hot water. Add salt until it no longer dissolves. Wait until the water has cooled down. In the meantime, you can attach a paper clip to one end of the cotton fibre, and a matchstick (pen) to the other end. Then immerse the fibre into the water with the paper clip at the bottom. Place the matchstick (pen) on the top of the glass so that the fibre doesn’t fall into the water. Now leave the glass for 3-4 days in a warm place at home. Wait and observe what happens.

    Reveal answer


    Lots of salt crystals have formed on the fibre.


    Salzkristalle

    Examine your hair in minute detail

    Have you ever looked at your hair under the microscope?
    You won’t believe how flaky it can be!

    However, not all hair looks the same – try comparing your hair with the hair of your parents and grandparents, your friends or even your pets. You will be amazed at how you can distinguish between them!

    Haar
    Haar

    Hair experiment

    Print

    Haargenau

    Experiments

    Print

    Experimente





    Be a detective!

    Did you know that everyone’s fingerprint is unique? Even identical twins have different fingerprints, although they are otherwise genetically identical. When you get a moment, take a closer look at your fingertips: can you see the fine lines, arches and circles? These are known as papillary lines and are unique to you. We leave an imprint of this unique pattern whenever we touch something. Our fingerprints are particularly visible on smooth surfaces such as glass. They are produced by sweat or grease on your skin. If you view your finger under your microscope, you’ll be able to see the small sweat pores. And because fingerprints are unique to one individual, they are often used as evidence by the police.

    Lukas is feeling sad, because someone has stolen the sweets from his tin. He would like to know who it was. He has an idea: he can inspect the fingerprints on the tin and catch the perpetrator!


    1. Take your tin or glass and sprinkle some powder over the surface, such as baking powder, cocoa or baby powder.

    2. Spread the powder carefully using a thick fine brush. If you look closely, the fingerprint will become visible!

    3. Next, take a piece of transparent adhesive tape and stick it carefully over the fingerprint, ensuring that there are no creases.

    4. When you remove the adhesive tape, the fingerprint will remain on the tape and you can stick it to a piece of cardboard. If you used a bright coloured powder, choose a dark piece of cardboard. For dark powders, choose a bright piece of cardboard.

    5. Now take a fingerprint from your family and friends. Do this in the same way as you did before with the powder and the adhesive tape. Alternatively, take an ink pad and press your finger with the ink onto a piece of paper.

    6. You can now compare the fingerprint from the glass or tin with the fingerprints of your family members and friends and hunt down the perpetrator!

    Be a detective!

    Print

    Detektivisch
    Detektivischgut

    Be a detective!

    Print a copy and get started






    Lukas' 100 ideas

    Can’t get enough of microscopy? Here’s a list of over 100 objects to keep you occupied:

    Household/food

    Sugar Icing sugar Salt Sea salt
    Pepper Cinnamon Dried herbs Other spices
    Wine gums Pretzel sticks Crisps Liquid plant fertiliser
    Blue cheese Sodium Baking powder Citric acid
    Bread Rusk Coffee beans Poppy seeds
    Animal feed Celery leaves Corn stems Pumpkin stems


    Thread

    Wool Silk Nylon Jeans
    Dust bunny Clothing fabric


    Outdoor

    Potting soil Sand Beach sand Shells
    Moss Lichen on stones Stones Water (e.g. pond)
    Blades of grass Plant hairs Aphids Other insects
    Dead fruit flies Dead honeybees Petals Tree bark
    Wood Mushrooms Snail shells Crystals
    Flowers from weeds Nettle leaves Leaves Petals
    Forest soil Fir needles Thistles Blades of grass
    Straw Sunflowers


    View more ideas

    Hair/fur

    Hair Cat hair Dog hair Rabbit hair
    Feathers Horse hair


    Pollen

    Birch Tulip Cherry Dandelion
    Mallow/hibiscus Evening primrose


    Seeds

    Poppy seeds Chia seeds Cress Dandelion clock
    Flower seeds Vegetable seeds


    Materials/technology

    Sponge Smartphone display Different types of paper Textiles, cloth, plush
    Thermal paper Soap foam/bubbles Stamps, ink pads Cosmetic powder
    Nail varnish Electronic circuit boards


    For transmitted light microscopy

    Water samples Onion skin Saliva Oral mucosa cells
    Moss Waterweed (Elodea) Leaf epidermis (removed or imprint) Yoghurt bacteria
    Yeast Moss from the water Starch


    Other

    Postage stamps Coins Bank notes Newspapers
    Magazines Postcards Pencil tip Coloured pencil tip
    Felt tip pen Fingerprint Finger nail Snowflakes
    Wooden board Wood screw Metal screw Nut
    Polystyrene Cotton swab Sponge (dry) Paper clip
    Toilet paper Paper towel Tissue Cardboard

    100 ideas

    Print

    Ideen





    Lukas' favourite photos

    Luke and Tom have taken lots of microscope photos and would like to show them to you:







    Lukas' microscope collection

    Lukas and Tom

    Print

    Lukas

    Intestinal cell

    Print

    Darmzelle

    Bone cell

    Print

    Knochenzelle

    Nerve cell

    Print

    Nervenzelle

    Red blood cell

    Print

    Rote Blutkörperchen


    Microscope journal

    Print

    MikroTagebuch


    Experiments

    Print

    Experimente

    100 ideas

    Print

    Ideen

    hair experiment

    Print

    Haargenau


    Be a detective!

    Print

    Detektivischgut

    Viruses and bacteria

    Print

    VirenBakterien

    Preparing thin sections

    Print

    PraeparierenDünnschnitt

    Preparing specimens

    Print

    Präparateerstellen

    Structure of microscopes

    Print

    Mikroskope

    Structure of cells

    Print

    Zelle
    To the PDF collection




    What shall we explore today?
    Lukas und Tom To the world of microscopes





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