Compound

Microscope
|PARTS AND FUNCTIONS
• Scientists use tools especially made to help them
in doing investigations and observations. When
structures are invisible to the naked eye, they use
microscopes to have a close look at the specimen. In
this module, you will learn the different parts of the
microscope and their respective functions.
 M I C R O S C O P E

• The microscope ( “mikros”- very small and

“skopos” – watcher) is a very important
tool in studying living things. Because it
can magnify the image of an object,
scientists are able to study cells and the
wide array of microscopic organisms. There
are different types of microscopes but the
most used in schools is the compound
light microscope. It uses a combination
of lenses and light to magnify a small
object held on a slide .
• O C U L A R / E YE P I E C E - a r em ov able cyl i nder wi th two l enses f ound at the top of the
m i cr oscope wher e one l ooks thr ough to v i ew the speci m en bei ng f ocused or studi ed
• Now, let’s familiarize the
different parts of a compound
light microscope.
1. OCULAR / EYEPIECE

• a removable cylinder with two

lenses found at the top of the
microscope where one looks through
to view the specimen being focused or
studied

• magnifies the image formed by

the objectives
• marked with a number and x
like 10x indicating how many times it
can magnify objects

• **Both eyes should be open when

viewing through the microscope to
prevent eye fatigue.
Figure 1. The Eyepiece
2. OBJECTIVES
REVOLVING NOSEPIECE
• major lenses responsible for
the quality of image during
specimen visualization

• Each lens has its own

magnification power.

• two to more objectives can

be present in a microscope though OBJECTIVES
three is more common
Figure 2. The Objectives and
Revolving Nosepiece
 TYPES OF OBJECTIVES

LPO HPO OIO (OIL)

Scanner (Low Power (High Power (Oil Immersion
Objective) Objective) Objective)
- the -marked 10x or 12x - marked 40x, -marked 97x or 100x
shortest one -used to locate and 43x or 60x - used to view
marked 3x, show the general -used for bacteria, very small
4x, or 5x outline or view of enlarged view to protists and fungi
the specimen see the specific -makes use of a
- used first when or detailed parts special kind of oil,
focusing of the object cedar oil
REMEMBER:
• The object being examined which is mounted on slides (flat rectangles of
thin glass) is called specimen. It is placed on the glass slide and a cover
slip is placed over specimen.

• To find the total magnification of a microscope, just multiply the

magnification of the eyepiece and the objective lens being used. If the
eyepiece is marked 4x and the objective 10x, then the total magnification is
40x.

• Clean the eyepiece or the objective lens using moist lens paper with lens
cleaning solution in circular motion. Dry the lens with a clean, dry piece of
lens paper.
3. REVOLVING NOSEPIECE
REVOLVING NOSEPIECE
- a white disk where the
objectives are attached
and rotated to get the
desired objective in place

OBJECTIVES
Figure 2. The Objectives and
Revolving Nosepiece
4. DRAWTUBE
DRAWTUBE

• cylindrical structure ARM

BODY
fitted inside the upper TUBE
body on top of the body
tube which houses the
eyepiece

Figure 3. Drawtube, Body Tube and Arm

5. BODY TUBE
DRAWTUBE
• A hollow tube,
ARM
attached to the arm, that BODY
TUBE
connects the eyepiece to
the objectives

• assures continuous
alignment of the optics

Figure 3. Drawtube, Body Tube and Arm

6. ARM

DRAWTUBE
• straight or curved vertical ARM
BODY
part that connects the base
TUBE
to the other parts of the
microscope

part which you hold to move

or carry the microscope

Figure 3. Drawtube, Body Tube and Arm

Figure 4. Proper Way of Carrying
the Microscope
 COARSE
7. ADJUSTMENT KNOBS ADJUSTMENT KNOB

• located on the arm, on each side of

the microscope, used to bring the
object into focus and vary the
distance between the specimen
and the objective

- large knob that raises or - small button-like disk

lowers the body tube in used for fine or more
large movements to bring detailed/precise
the object in approximate focusing
focus - used with the HPO FINE ADJUSTMENT KNOB
- used together with the
LPO
COARSE
ADJUSTMENT
FINE Figure 5.
ADJUSTMENT
KNOB KNOB The Adjustment Knobs
 STAGE

8. STAGE
• platform connected to the arm
which has a round opening
(aperture) where the specimen or
glass slide is mounted for viewing

9. STAGE CLIPS
• used to hold the glass slide in STAGE CLIPS
place

Figure 6. Stage and Stage Clips

CONDENSER

DIAPHRAGM

INCLINATION
JOINT

Figure 7. The Condenser, Diaphragm and

Inclination Joint
10. IRIS DIAPHRAGM

a flat disc found under the stage

which regulates the amount of
light that reaches the specimen

• has different sized holes

or the aperture or opening can DIAPHRAGM

be resized in order to control

the light intensity and size of
beam of light
Figure 8. Different Size of the Aperture
11. CONDENSER

•• consists of lens used to

focus and concentrate
maximum light from the
illuminator (like mirror) into
the specimen

https://bit.ly/37KUYSq
Figure 9. Close Look of Condenser
CONDENSER

DIAPHRAGM

INCLINATION
JOINT

Figure 7. The Condenser, Diaphragm and

Inclination Joint
12. INCLINATION JOINT

• used for tilting the

microscope to easily
examine specimen
especially when
sitting down INCLINATION
JOINT
13. MIRRROR
• may be plane or concave, adjustable

• used to collect, reflect and direct the MIRROR

light up through the condenser, the
opening of the stage, and specimen
being viewed

14. BASE
• horseshoe-like stand used to anchor BASE
the microscope on the table
Figure 10. Mirror and Base
• supports the microscope
Furthermore, the parts of the microscope, according
to their function, can be classified as: Furthermore,
the parts of the microscope, according to their function, can
be classified as:

• Magnifying Part – used to see and enlarge specimens

(Eyepiece, Objectives)

• Illuminating Part – used to supply light to the slide on

the stage (Mirror), or

• Mechanical Part – used to support and operate the

parts(Stage, Base, Arm, Adjustment Knobs, Revolving
Nosepiece).
Operation of
the Microscope
A. Familiarization :

• First, familiarize yourself with all the parts of

a microscope so that you can easily move
from one part to another during operation.
B. Moving and Placement:

• It is worth remembering that while a good quality microscope will

last a lifetime,

• it is a sensitive scientific instrument that will suffer damage from

sharp blows or impact. Always, therefore, carry your microscope in
both hands.

• Grasp the arm with one hand and place the other hand under the
base for support.

• Always place the microscope on a level and stable surface.

C. Making Wet Mount:

• Microscope slides should always be prepared with a cover

slip or cover glass over the specimen (specimen is a part or
a sample of any material e.g. plant, animal paper for study or
examination under the microscope). This will help protect the
objective lenses if they touch the slide. To hold the slide on
the stage fasten it with the stage clips. You can push down
on the back end of the stage clip to open it.
COVER SLIP

GLASS SLIDE
D. Focusing the Specimen:

1. Start by placing the slide on the stage with the specimen( e.g.letter e in a normal
reading position). You may use the stage clips to hold the slide in place.

2. Position the diaphragm with the largest setting used.

3. Adjust and start using the low -power objective. (You can also start with a scanner to
see the whole specimen before using the LPO)

4. Look through the eyepiece; keep both of your eyes open.

5. Then, slowly adjust the coarse adjustment until the specimen becomes clear. You may
use the fine adjustment knob to sharpen the focus.

6. Move the slide left, right, forward or backward until the specimen is in the center.
E. General Advice/Basic Principle in Working with
Microscope:

• You should check to see if your microscope has a rack stop. If it does not have
one, then be careful not to allow the objective lens to touch the slide as you may
break the slide.

• W hen using a monocular microscope, the correct technique is to look through the
eyepiece with one eye and keep the other eye open. Most new user, tend to close
one eye. W hile many biologists do close one eye, you will help avoid eye strain
by keeping both eyes open. Finally, remember! W hen you view a specimen
through a microscope, you are viewing an image through multiple lenses.

• As a result, the image is upside down and back -to-front so when you move the
slide to the right, the image moves to the left and vice versa!
F. Care & Maintenance of Your Microscope

Compound microscope will last a lifetime if cared for properly. Here are
the recommended basic steps:

1.When finished viewing, lower the stage, click the low power lens into
position and remove the slide.

2.Avoid touching the glass part of the lenses with your fingers. Use only
special lens paper to clean the lenses.

3. Dust is the number one enemy of a microscope so always keep your

microscope covered when not in use. When not in use for extended
periods, replace the microscope in its box.