GCSE Lesson Plan: B1 Cells – The World of the Microscope
Subject: Biology
Topic: Cells – The World of the Microscope
Exam Board: (adaptable for AQA/Edexcel/OCR)
Duration: 60 minutes
Lesson Objectives
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
Understand the importance of the microscope in biology.
Identify the parts of a light microscope and explain their functions.
Explain how to prepare and observe a slide using a light microscope.
Compare light microscopes vs electron microscopes.
Calculate magnification using the formula:
Magnification
Magnification=
Do Now (5 min)
Question on board:
“How do we know what a cell looks like if it’s too small to see with the naked eye?”
Quick pair discussion, then feedback.
Introduction (10 min)
Brief history of microscopes: Hooke, Leeuwenhoek.
Importance of microscopes in discovering cells.
Show images of a plant/animal cell as seen with the naked eye, light microscope, and electron microscope.
Main Teaching (20 min)
- Parts of a Light Microscope
Label and explain: eyepiece, objective lens, stage, mirror/light, fine and coarse focus.
- Practical Demonstration (if resources available)
Teacher models how to prepare a slide (e.g., onion skin or cheek cells with iodine stain).
Students practise using microscopes safely.
- Light vs Electron Microscopes
Light microscopes: lower magnification & resolution, can view living cells.
Electron microscopes: much higher magnification & resolution, can’t view living cells, very expensive.
Activity (15 min)
Microscope calculations: Students practise using the formula with exam-style questions.
Worksheet: compare light and electron microscopes (advantages/disadvantages).
Conclusion / Plenary (5–10 min)
Quick-fire Q&A:
“What is the function of the eyepiece lens?”
“Which microscope has higher resolution?”
“What is magnification?”
Exit ticket: one fact about light microscopes and one fact about electron microscopes.
Assessment Opportunities
Questioning during practical and discussion.
Worksheet answers checked.
Exit ticket feedback.
Homework / Extension
Research: “Why were electron microscopes such a breakthrough in cell biology?”
Extension task: Draw and label both a light and electron microscope diagram.
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