X 1000

X 1000

(mm)

(m)

(nm)

2mm

2000 (2 x 103) 2000000

130m

0.13

0.032m

32

7.25m

0.00725

(2 x 106)

130

130000
(1.3 x 105)

32000

32000000

(3.2 x 104)

(3.2 x 107)

7.25

7250 (7.25 x
103)

1000

1000

Learning Objectives
- [PA] use an eyepiece graticule and stage
micrometer scale to measure cells and be
familiar with units (millimetre, micrometre,
nanometre) used in cell studies;
-[PA] calculate linear magnification of
drawings and photographs;
-(h) [PA] calculate actual sizes of specimens
from drawings and photographs;

Measuring cells

To accurately measure the size of cellular

structures we need a suitable scale:

The graticule
a more suitable ruler for measuring cells

The slide graticule:

The eyepiece graticule:

The stage graticule shows true lengths

stage graticule

The eyepiece graticule has regular divisions.

These need to be calibrated for each magnification
eyepiece graticule

e.g. x100

stage graticule

The eyepiece graticule has regular divisions.

These need to be calibrated for each magnification
eyepiece graticule

e.g. x400

stage graticule

The eyepiece graticule

remains constant no matter
what magnification the cells
are viewed at.

The eyepiece graticule

remains constant no matter
what magnification the cells
are viewed at.

The eyepiece graticule

remains constant no matter
what magnification the cells
are viewed at.

Eyepiece & stage

graticules

Low magnification

High magnification

Figure 4.3
Stage micrometer viewed at x100 magnification.
The total length of the micrometer is 1mm

total length = 1mm

which is 1000m

Therefore, 1 division on the

eyepiece graticule represents
1000 94 = 10.6 m
at this magnification.

on this scale, 94
divisions = 1000m

Figure 4.1
Cells of onion epidermis as viewed at x100
magnification with a graticule in the eyepiece of the
microscope

We
know
at thiscovered
In the
twothat
columns
magnification,
division
by the graticule1 there
is an
on
the eyepiece
graticule
average
of five cells
in the
represents
10.6
m
length of the
graticule

1060m

Therefore
the
average
Therefore
the
total
length
of one cell
is
oflength
the eyepiece
graticule
1060 5 =10.6
212m
represents
x 100 = 1060m
at this magnification

Figure 4.4
Part of the stage micrometer viewed at x400
magnification

remember
thatshown
each
so the length
byhere
the bracket
is
division
is 10m
240m

Therefore, 1 division on the

eyepiece graticule represents
240 90 = 2.67 m
at this magnification.

on this scale, 90
divisions = 240m

Figure 4.2
Cells of onion epidermis as viewed at x400
magnification with the same graticule in the eyepiece

We know that at this magnification,

each division of the eyepiece graticule
represents 2.67m

The length of the cell covered

by the graticule is 98 divisions,
therefore the length of this cell
is 2.67 x 98 = 262m

We now have two measurements for the length of an onion

cell;
212m and 262 m.
Which of these is the more accurate estimate of the length
of onion epidermal cells?

The answer from Q. 2 [212 m]

because this is a mean of several cells.
Only one cell was measured in Q.3, and this one
may not be representative.

Estimating cell width. Figure 4.5.

Cells of the onion epidermis as viewed at x100
magnification with a graticule in the eyepiece of the
microscope

Remember the total length

of the eyepiece graticule
represents 1060m
at this magnification
There are approximately
thirteen cells in the
length of the graticule
Therefore the average
width of one cell is
1060 13 = 81.5m

Figure 4.6.
Cells of the onion epidermis as viewed at x400
magnification with the same graticule in the eyepiece
of the microscope

Remember, we know that at this

magnification, each division of
the eyepiece graticule
represents 2.67m
Here, two cells span 62 divisions
on the eyepiece graticule. This
represents 2.67 x 62 = 165.5 m
Therefore the average
width of one cell is
165.5 2 = 82.8m

62 divisions