A manually operated microtome is a laboratory instrument used for cutting thin slices of biological specimens such as tissues, organs, and plant materials. It consists of a razor blade or knife that is mounted on a movable arm, and a specimen holder that holds the specimen in place during cutting.

To operate a manually operated microtome, the user manually advances the specimen holder towards the razor blade in a precise and controlled manner to produce thin slices of the specimen. The thickness of the slices can be adjusted by moving the razor blade up or down, and the slices are typically collected on glass slides for further analysis under a microscope.

Manually operated microtomes are often used in research laboratories, pathology labs, and educational institutions, where the cutting of biological specimens is required for various applications such as histology, microscopy, and tissue engineering. They are typically less expensive and simpler to operate than automated microtomes, but require more skill and experience to use effectively.

Overall, manually operated microtomes are important tools for biological research and analysis, and continue to be widely used in a variety of scientific and medical fields.