Question

A microscope in biology class was left for students to view a prepared slide. The 40x objective lens was in place to get a really magnified view of the specimen. The view was slightly blurry. Which of the following should a student do to improve the view of the specimen?

A. Use the fine focus knob to bring the image into a clearer view.
B. Use the coarse focus knob to bring the image into a clearer view.
C. Add a stain to the slide while it sits on the stage of the microscope.
D. Take the slide off and wipe it with a paper towel.

Answer 1

To achieve a clearer view of a blurry specimen under a microscope with a 40x lens, a student should use the fine focus knob, ensure proper lighting, and align the condenser.

Step-by-step explanation:

To improve the view of the specimen when it appears blurry under the 40x objective lens of a microscope, a student should use the fine focus knob to bring the image into a clearer view. The fine focus knob is intended for small-scale adjustments and is particularly useful when using the 40x and 100x lenses, which have a smaller depth of field and require more delicate manipulation to achieve a sharp image. Moreover, ensuring that there is sufficient lighting and that the condenser is properly aligned can dramatically improve the resolution as well. For the most detailed observation of cellular structures, it is often necessary to use staining techniques and/or switch to oil immersion objective lenses for greater resolution.