Session Learning Outcomes

• The students will be able to:

– Identify and describe the functions of different
parts of microscope
– Learn and demonstrate the correct procedure to
use a microscope to observe histology slides
 Definition
• A microscope is a high precision optical
instrument, that uses a lens or a combination,
designed to enlarge the image and make fine
details visible.
• The microscope must accomplish three tasks:
• Magnification
• Resolution
• Contrast
 Vocabulary of Microscope
• Microscopy is the use of a microscope or
investigation by a microscope.
• Magnification is the process of enlarging
specimen only in appearance, not in physical size.
• Resolution, defined as the shortest distance
between two points on a specimen that can still
be distinguished by the observer.
• Contrast (darkness of the background relative to
the specimen): is defined as the difference in light
intensity between the image and the adjacent
background relative to the overall background
intensity.
 Ocular lens
Body Tube

Revolving Nosepiece
Arm
Objective Lens

Stage
Stage
Clips Coarse adjustment knob
Diaphragm
Fine adjustment knob
Light

Base
Ocular lens/ Eye Piece

magnifies; where you

look through to see the
image of your specimen.
They are usually 10X or
15X power. Our
microscopes have an ocular
lens power of 10x.
 supports the tube,
Stage and connects it
arm to the base
 the flat platform
where you place
your slides
stage
 moves stage (or body
tube) up and down

coarse adjustment knob

 small, round knob on
the side of the
microscope used to
fine-tune the focus of
your specimen
fine adjustment knob
after using the coarse
adjustment knob
 the bottom of the
microscope, used for
support

base
 body tube

connects the eyepiece

to the objective
lenses
the part that holds two
or more objective lenses
revolving nosepiece
and can be rotated to
easily change power
 Adds to the magnification
Usually you will find 3 or
4 objective lenses on a
microscope. They almost
objective lens
always consist of 4X, 10X,
40X and 100X powers.
When coupled with a 10X (most
common)
eyepiece lens, we get total
magnifications of 40X, 100X ,
400X and 1000X.
objective lenses
The shortest
lens is the lowest power, the
longest one is the lens with the
greatest power. Lenses are color
coded.
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 stage clips
moves it left and right, the
other moves it up and down.
controls the amount of light
going through the specimen

diaphragm
makes the specimen
easier to see

light Source/Illuminator
 How to use the microscope
Do and Don’ts
• Write what has been discussed in class