MICROSCOPE

A. Definition

A microscope is an instrument used to see objects that are too small to be seen by the
naked eye. Microscopy is the science of investigating small objects and structures using such
an instrument. Microscopic means invisible to the eye unless aided by a microscope.

B. Type of Microscope

There are many types of microscopes, and they may be grouped in different ways.
One way is to describe the way the instruments interact with a sample to create images, either
by sending a beam of light or electrons to a sample in its optical path, or by scanning across,
and a short distance from, the surface of a sample using a probe. The most common
microscope (and the first to be invented) is the optical microscope, which uses light to pass
through a sample to produce an image. Other major types of microscopes are the fluorescence
microscope, the electron microscope (both, the transmission electron microscope and the
scanning electron microscope) and the various types of scanning probe microscopes.

A binocular microscope refers to any microscope with two eyepieces. Compound or

high power microscopes typically have two eyepieces which view images through a single
high-power objective lens. The image presented to each eye is a flat, 2-dimentional. It is
therefore also possible to have single eyepiece compound microscopes, which are typically
very low cost systems used for educational purposes
Stereo microscopes always have two eyepieces, since stereoscopic vision requires
two distinct images, one presented to the left eye, and one to the right.

Monocular microscopes, or single-eyepiece microscopes, are often used to study very

small objects and organisms that can’t normally be observed by the naked eye, such ascells,
fungi and bacteria.

C. Part Of Microscope
 Power switch: The main power switch that turns the illumination on or off.
 Eyepiece Lens: Eyepiece is the lens, present at the top and is used to see the objects
under study.
 Tube: Connects the eyepiece to the objective lenses
 Prisms. These have silver-plated reflective surfaces which can become rusty over time
and lose their reflecting capacity.
 Mirrors: mirrors have a reflective coating directly on their surface.In recently
manufactured microscopes these generally have a protective coat.
 Arm: Supports the tube and connects it to the base
 Base: The bottom of the microscope, used for support
 Illuminator: A steady light source used in place of a mirror. If your microscope has a
mirror, it is used to reflect light from an external light source up through the bottom of
the stage.
 Objective Lenses: Usually you will find 3 or 4 objective lenses on a microscope.
They almost always consist of 4X, 10X, 40X and 100X powers. The shortest lens is
the lowest power, the longest one is the lens with the greatest power
 Diaphragm or Iris: Diaphragm helps in controlling the amount of light that is passing
through the opening of the stage. It is helpful in the adjustment of the control of light
that enters.
 Stage: The flat platform where you place your slides. Stage clips hold the slides in
place. If your microscope has a mechanical stage, you will be able to move the slide
around by turning two knobs. One moves it left and right, the other moves it up and
down.
 Stage clip: Stage clips hold the slides in proper place.
 Revolving Nosepiece or Turret: This is the part that holds two or more objective
lenses and can be rotated to easily change power.
 Condensor: The main function of condenser lens is focussing the light on the
specimen under observation. When very high powers of 400X are used, condenser
lenses are very important. Presence of condenser lens gives a sharper image as
compared to the microscope with no condenser lens

D. How To Operate Microscope

Setting Up the Microscope,
1. Learn the components of the microscope There are multiple essential pieces of the
microscope that you need to be able to identify and use properly. The eyepiece is the
portion that you will look into to view your specimen.
2. Place the microscope on a clean, flat surface Place the microscope on the table and
plug it in.
3. Rotate the objectives until the lowest magnification is above the stage.
Preparing Microscope Slides ,
4. Wash your hands before you begin.
5. Use prepared slides to begin with. Prepared slides already have a specimen mounted
properly.
6. Place the slide on the stage of the microscope.
7. Turn on your microscope.
Focusing the microscope
8. Adjust your eyepiece, if you have a binocular set. Move the eyepieces closer together
or further apart until you see a single circle of light.
9. Start focusing on the lowest power objective.
 10. Focus the slide using the adjustment knobs and diaphragm
11. Magnify the image with a higher objective Try using different slides to increase your
practice.

E. General Maintenance Of The Microscope

 Ensure that the area where the microscope is installed is protected from dust and
humidity
 Verify that the area is secure, having a door with a lock to prevent unauthorized
removal.
 Verify that the area selected has an electrical outlet compatible with the lighting
system of the microscope.
 To facilitate the microscopist work position, provide a chair of adjustable height with
good back support.

F. Cleaning Procedures
 After use, clean the microscope by blowing air using a nasal aspirator
 A plastic cover to protect the microscope from its external environment when not in
use
 Clean the immersion oil off from the 100X objective. Use lens paper or, if not
available, use medicinal type cotton
 A 250 g packet of desiccant (silica gel). This is used to control the humidity in the
microscope’s storage box if it is airtight.
 The external optical elements of eyepieces, objectives, condenser and illuminator are
cleaned by gently brushing their surfaces with the camel hair brush
 The microscope’s body can be cleaned with a detergent solution to remove external fi
lth and cut the grease and oil.

How to Focus Your Microscope: The proper way to focus a microscope is to start
with the lowest power objective lens first and while looking from the side, crank the lens
down as close to the specimen as possible without touching it. Now, look through the
eyepiece lens and focus upward only until the image is sharp. If you can't get it in focus,
repeat the process again. Once the image is sharp with the low power lens, you should be
able to simply click in the next power lens and do minor adjustments with the focus knob. If
your microscope has a fine focus adjustment, turning it a bit should be all that's necessary.
Continue with subsequent objective lenses and fine focus each time.