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Fun with Microscopes & Microorganisms: Easy Steps for Cool Bio Experiments

4

0

H

Holly Dagger

09/10/2025

Biology

GCSE AQA Bio required practical notes

260

9 Oct 2025

4 pages

Fun with Microscopes & Microorganisms: Easy Steps for Cool Bio Experiments

H

Holly Dagger

@ollyagger_ffne

A comprehensive guide to essential biology practical procedures covering microscopy,... Show more

Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
1 / 4
Biology required practicals.
Microscopes
Optical microscope
Stage where the slide goes
Clips to hold slide
lamp belowstage
ormirror
Objectiv

Page 2: Microbial Culture and Osmosis Experiments

This section covers two major practical procedures: culturing microorganisms and investigating osmosis in plant tissue. The microbial culture protocol emphasizes sterile technique and proper incubation conditions.

Vocabulary: Inoculating loop - A sterilized tool used to transfer microorganisms to growth medium.

Highlight: Petri dishes are incubated upside down to prevent condensation from disrupting bacterial colonies.

The osmosis investigation uses potato tissue to demonstrate the effects of different sugar concentrations on cell volume and mass.

Definition: Osmosis is the movement of water molecules across a partially permeable membrane from an area of high water concentration to an area of lower water concentration.

Biology required practicals.
Microscopes
Optical microscope
Stage where the slide goes
Clips to hold slide
lamp belowstage
ormirror
Objectiv

Page 3: Enzyme Activity and Photosynthesis

This page details protocols for investigating amylase activity and measuring photosynthesis rates. The amylase experiment examines how pH affects enzyme function in breaking down starch.

Vocabulary: Amylase - An enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of starch into simple sugars.

Highlight: The iodine test is used to monitor starch breakdown, with color change from blue-black to orange indicating complete starch digestion.

The photosynthesis protocol measures oxygen production by pond weed at varying distances from a light source.

Example: Oxygen production is measured by counting bubbles produced per minute at distances of 10cm, 20cm, 30cm, and 40cm from the light source.

Biology required practicals.
Microscopes
Optical microscope
Stage where the slide goes
Clips to hold slide
lamp belowstage
ormirror
Objectiv

Page 4: Food Testing Procedures

The final page presents comprehensive protocols for identifying different biological molecules in food samples. Each test has specific reagents and characteristic color changes indicating positive results.

Definition: Food tests are chemical procedures used to identify the presence of specific nutrients in food samples.

Vocabulary: Benedict's solution - A reagent used to test for reducing sugars.

Highlight: The lipid test requires ethanol and produces a distinctive cloudy white solution when positive.

The procedures include tests for starch (iodine), reducing sugars (Benedict's), proteins (biuret), and lipids (ethanol emulsion test).

Biology required practicals.
Microscopes
Optical microscope
Stage where the slide goes
Clips to hold slide
lamp belowstage
ormirror
Objectiv

Page 1: Using an Optical Microscope

The first page outlines the fundamental components and operation of an optical microscope for biological specimen examination. The microscope features multiple objective lenses with different magnifications (4x, 10x, 40x), along with coarse and fine focusing mechanisms for precise image clarity.

Definition: Total magnification is calculated by multiplying eyepiece magnification (10x) by the objective lens magnification.

Example: Using a 40x objective lens with a 10x eyepiece gives 400x total magnification.

Highlight: Always start with the lowest power objective lens (4x) and gradually increase magnification after achieving initial focus.

The detailed procedure involves securing the slide with clips, selecting appropriate magnification, and using both coarse and fine focusing dials to achieve optimal image clarity.



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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

 

Biology

260

9 Oct 2025

4 pages

Fun with Microscopes & Microorganisms: Easy Steps for Cool Bio Experiments

H

Holly Dagger

@ollyagger_ffne

A comprehensive guide to essential biology practical procedures covering microscopy, microbial culture, enzyme activity, and food testing techniques. The guide details step-by-step protocols for how to use a microscope for biology practicals, steps for culturing microorganisms in a lab... Show more

Biology required practicals.
Microscopes
Optical microscope
Stage where the slide goes
Clips to hold slide
lamp belowstage
ormirror
Objectiv

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Page 2: Microbial Culture and Osmosis Experiments

This section covers two major practical procedures: culturing microorganisms and investigating osmosis in plant tissue. The microbial culture protocol emphasizes sterile technique and proper incubation conditions.

Vocabulary: Inoculating loop - A sterilized tool used to transfer microorganisms to growth medium.

Highlight: Petri dishes are incubated upside down to prevent condensation from disrupting bacterial colonies.

The osmosis investigation uses potato tissue to demonstrate the effects of different sugar concentrations on cell volume and mass.

Definition: Osmosis is the movement of water molecules across a partially permeable membrane from an area of high water concentration to an area of lower water concentration.

Biology required practicals.
Microscopes
Optical microscope
Stage where the slide goes
Clips to hold slide
lamp belowstage
ormirror
Objectiv

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Page 3: Enzyme Activity and Photosynthesis

This page details protocols for investigating amylase activity and measuring photosynthesis rates. The amylase experiment examines how pH affects enzyme function in breaking down starch.

Vocabulary: Amylase - An enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of starch into simple sugars.

Highlight: The iodine test is used to monitor starch breakdown, with color change from blue-black to orange indicating complete starch digestion.

The photosynthesis protocol measures oxygen production by pond weed at varying distances from a light source.

Example: Oxygen production is measured by counting bubbles produced per minute at distances of 10cm, 20cm, 30cm, and 40cm from the light source.

Biology required practicals.
Microscopes
Optical microscope
Stage where the slide goes
Clips to hold slide
lamp belowstage
ormirror
Objectiv

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Page 4: Food Testing Procedures

The final page presents comprehensive protocols for identifying different biological molecules in food samples. Each test has specific reagents and characteristic color changes indicating positive results.

Definition: Food tests are chemical procedures used to identify the presence of specific nutrients in food samples.

Vocabulary: Benedict's solution - A reagent used to test for reducing sugars.

Highlight: The lipid test requires ethanol and produces a distinctive cloudy white solution when positive.

The procedures include tests for starch (iodine), reducing sugars (Benedict's), proteins (biuret), and lipids (ethanol emulsion test).

Biology required practicals.
Microscopes
Optical microscope
Stage where the slide goes
Clips to hold slide
lamp belowstage
ormirror
Objectiv

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Page 1: Using an Optical Microscope

The first page outlines the fundamental components and operation of an optical microscope for biological specimen examination. The microscope features multiple objective lenses with different magnifications (4x, 10x, 40x), along with coarse and fine focusing mechanisms for precise image clarity.

Definition: Total magnification is calculated by multiplying eyepiece magnification (10x) by the objective lens magnification.

Example: Using a 40x objective lens with a 10x eyepiece gives 400x total magnification.

Highlight: Always start with the lowest power objective lens (4x) and gradually increase magnification after achieving initial focus.

The detailed procedure involves securing the slide with clips, selecting appropriate magnification, and using both coarse and fine focusing dials to achieve optimal image clarity.

We thought you’d never ask...

What is the Knowunity AI companion?

Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.

Where can I download the Knowunity app?

You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Is Knowunity really free of charge?

That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.

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4.9/5

App Store

4.8/5

Google Play

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user