BIOLOGY Volume 1 - A Guide to General Biology - 2004

5. CELLS

5.11. Using a Hand Lens and a Microscope

5.11.1. Hand Lens

A hand lens consists of a biconvex lens fitted into a frame. The lens can be small (such as a pocket lens) or significantly larger, like the dissecting lens mounted on a stand. To use a hand lens, hold it close to your eye and bring the specimen toward the lens until a clear, magnified image comes into focus. If you are drawing the specimen under study, you need to calculate the magnification factor of your drawing.

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This can be written as ×3.

Last update: 06/08/2026

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