The total magnification achieved using a 10× objective lens with a 10× eyepiece lens is 20×.

True or False?

Choice A rationale: Iodine is a chemical element that forms a brown solution of iodine and potassium iodide, known as iodine solution. When this solution is added to a sample that contains starch, it forms a complex with the starch molecules, which changes the color of the solution to blue-black. This is based on the fact that starch is a polysaccharide that has a helical structure, which can trap the iodine molecules inside. ²

Choice B rationale: Biuret is a chemical compound that forms a blue solution of copper (II) sulfate and sodium hydroxide, known as biuret reagent. When this reagent is added to a sample that contains proteins or peptides, it forms a complex with the copper (II) ions, which changes the color of the solution to violet or pink. This is based on the fact that proteins and peptides have peptide bonds, which have nitrogen atoms that can coordinate with the copper (II) ions. ³

Choice C rationale: Benedict's is a chemical compound that forms a blue solution of copper (II) sulfate, sodium carbonate, and sodium citrate, known as Benedict's reagent. When this reagent is heated with a sample that contains reducing sugars, such as glucose or maltose, it reduces the copper (II) ions to copper (I) ions, which form a red, orange, or green precipitate of copper (I) oxide. This is based on the fact that reducing sugars have free aldehyde or ketone groups that can donate electrons to the copper (II) ions. ⁴

Choice D rationale: Phenol red is a chemical compound that forms a red solution that is used as a pH indicator. When this solution is added to a sample that has an acidic or neutral pH, it remains red or turns yellow. When this solution is added to a sample that has an alkaline pH, it turns pink or fuchsia. This is based on the fact that phenol red has a sulfonated hydroxyquinone group that can lose or gain protons depending on the pH of the solution. ⁵

Choice E rationale: Sudan IV is a chemical compound that forms a red powder that is used as a stain for lipids. When this powder is dissolved in a solvent and added to a sample that contains lipids, such as fats or oils, it dissolves in the lipids and stains them red. When this solution is added to a sample that does not contain lipids, it remains in the solvent and does not stain the sample. This is based on the fact that Sudan IV is a nonpolar compound that can dissolve in nonpolar substances like lipids, but not in polar substances like water. ⁶.

Choice A rationale: Only use lower power magnification is incorrect because this does not solve the problem of the dark field of view, but rather avoids it. Using lower power magnification means that you will not be able to see the details of the specimen that you want to observe under the 40x objective lens. Lower power magnification also has a larger field of view and a lower resolution than higher power magnification.

Choice B rationale: Add more immersion oil is incorrect because immersion oil is only used for the highest magnification objective lens, which is the 100x oil immersion objective lens, not the 40x objective lens. Immersion oil is a type of oil that has the same refractive index as glass, which means that it bends light in the same way as glass. Immersion oil is applied between the slide and the lens to reduce the refraction of light and increase the clarity of the image.

Choice C rationale: Adjust the fine adjustment knob is incorrect because the fine adjustment knob is used to fine-tune the focus of the specimen, not the brightness of the field of view. The fine adjustment knob is a small knob that is located on the side of the microscope, next to the coarse adjustment knob. The fine adjustment knob is used to make small changes in the distance between the objective lens and the specimen, which improves the sharpness of the image.

Choice D rationale: Increase the light intensity is correct because the light intensity is the amount of light that reaches the specimen and the objective lens, which affects the brightness of the field of view. The light intensity can be adjusted by using the rheostat, which is a dial that is located on the base of the microscope, next to the light source. The rheostat can increase or decrease the voltage of the light source, which changes the brightness of the light. Increasing the light intensity can make the field of view brighter and easier to see.