PARTS OF THE MICROSCOPE USE/FUNCTION

Diopter adjustment Allow you to make minor corrections to the

image, compensating for the difference in vision
between the two eyes.
On/off Switch This switch on the base of the microscope turns
the illuminator off and on.
Objective lens The second set of lenses in a 
compound microscope (usually 4x, 10x, 40x). 
Slide holder The slide holder on a microscope is an important
component for observing specimens by holding
your slides secure and steady during observation.
Iris diaphragm Adjusts the amount of light that hits the slide
from the light source.
Condenser serves to gather wavefronts from the microscope
light source and concentrate them into a cone of
light that illuminates the specimen with uniform
intensity over the entire viewfield.
Coarse focus used to bring the specimen into approximate or
near focus.
Fine focus Use the fine focus knob to sharpen the focus
quality of the image after it has been brought
into focus with the coarse focus knob.
Light source Where light comes from to see image. 
Nose piece The first lens in a compound microscope (usually
10x). 
Arm Arm connects to the base and supports the
microscope head. It is also used to carry the
microscope.
Stage Where one puts the slide to view. 
Base 
 

7.

 Carry the microscope by holding the C-shaped arm with one hand and other hand under the
base.
 Never swing the microscope while carrying.
 Never allow direct light to fall on the microscope. Cover the microscope with a plastic cover
when not in use.
 While using oil immersion objective, do not adjust the coarse screw.
 Oil immersion objective should be cleaned after use by wiping with soft cotton cloth or lens
paper.
REFERENCES

“Microscope Basics: World Precision Instruments.” Www.wpiinc.com,

www.wpiinc.com/blog/post/microscope-basics.

“Microscope Parts and Functions.” MicroscopeMaster, www.microscopemaster.com/parts-of-a-

compound-microscope.html#:~:text=On%2Foff%20switch%3A%20This%20switch.

Accessed 8 Sept. 2021.

“Microscope Slide Holder.” Microscope.com, www.microscope.com/omano-mechanical-slide-

holder-om136c-omtm85-om118.html#:~:text=The%20slide%20holder%20on%20a.

Accessed 8 Sept. 2021.

“How to Use the Condenser Aperture Diaphragm.” Www.zeiss.com,

www.zeiss.com/microscopy/int/solutions/reference/all-tutorials/basic-

microscopy/condenser-aperture-diaphragm-function.html#:~:text=Basic

%20Microscopy-.

“Microscope Glossary.” Www2.Hawaii.edu,

www2.hawaii.edu/~kgoya/microscopy_tutorial/glossary.htm#:~:text=Focus%20(coarse)

%2C%20The%20coarse.

“Microscope Glossary.” Www2.Hawaii.edu,

www2.hawaii.edu/~kgoya/microscopy_tutorial/glossary.htm#:~:text=Focus%20(fine)

%2C%20Use%20the.

“Compound Microscope Parts.” Microscope.com, www.microscope.com/compound-microscope-

parts#:~:text=Arm%20connects%20to%20the%20base. Accessed 8 Sept. 2021.

DOCUMENTATION