FORENSIC CHEMISTRY AND TOXICOLOGY

NAME: ___Gregorio, Diego Austin F.__________ DATE: __9/09/2022_______

STUDENT NO.: __2020101549___________________ SECTION:__BSC 3A_________

LABORATORY ACTIVITY #2
COMPOUND MICROSCOPE

In this activity, the students will know the parts of a compound microscope and its
functions.

Compound microscope is an optical instrument which is used to obtain high

magnification. It is an extension of the magnifying glass which are used to see very small
things.

I. Objective: To be able to know the parts of a compound microscope and its functions.

II. Materials: Compound microscope

III. Instruction: State the function of each part of a compound microscrope.

IV. Questions:

A. Differentiate compound microscope from the following kinds of microscope:

1. electron microscope
2. scanning probe microscope
3. polarizing microscope
Reference: Cejes and Libres-Etis (2014). Laboratory Manual for Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology First Edition. ChapterHouse
Publishing Incorporated, Novaliches, Quezon City.
https://personal.math.ubc.ca/~cass/courses/m309-03a/m309-projects/yeh/micro.htm
https://microscopeinternational.com/compound-microscope-parts/ Page 1 of 4
FORENSIC CHEMISTRY AND TOXICOLOGY

B. What is the application of microscope in the following fields of science?

PARTS FUNCTION

Eyepieces (Ocular lens) This is the part used to look through the microscope.
It carries the optical parts in the upper part of the
Head
microscope.
This is the part connecting the base and to the head
and the eyepiece tube to the base of the microscope.
Arm (Frame)
It gives support to the head of the microscope, and it
is also used when carrying the microscope.
Used to change focus on one eyepiece to correct for
Diopter Adjustment
any difference in vision between your two eyes.
It holds the objective lenses. It is movable hence it
Nose Piece can revolve the objective lenses depending on the
magnification power of the lens.
These are the major lenses used for specimen
Objective Lenses
visualization.
Stage Clip Metal clips that hold the slide in place.
Enhances the function of the stage. It allows for
precise movement of the specimen through the field
Mechanical Stage
of view, which is that area of specimen visible
through the microscope.
Used to collect and focus light from the illuminator
into the specimen. They are found under the stage
next to the diaphragm of the microscope. They play a
Condenser
major role in ensuring clear sharp images are
produced with a high magnification of 400X and
above.
The light source for a microscope. Older microscopes
used mirrors to reflect light from an external source
Illumination
up through the bottom of the stage; however, most
microscopes now use a low-voltage bulb.
This switch on the base of the microscope turns the
Light Switch
illuminator off and on.
It acts as microscopes support. It also carries
Base
microscopic illuminators.
It adjusts the intensity of the light passing through the
Brightness Adjustment
microscope.
Fine tunes the focus and increases the detail of the
Fine Adjustment
specimen.
Coarse Adjustment Brings the specimen into general focus.
These knobs move the stage left and right or up and
Stage Controls
down.
The hole in the middle of the stage that allows light
Aperture
from the illuminator to reach the specimen.

Reference: Cejes and Libres-Etis (2014). Laboratory Manual for Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology First Edition. ChapterHouse
Publishing Incorporated, Novaliches, Quezon City.
https://personal.math.ubc.ca/~cass/courses/m309-03a/m309-projects/yeh/micro.htm
https://microscopeinternational.com/compound-microscope-parts/ Page 2 of 4
 FORENSIC CHEMISTRY AND TOXICOLOGY

IV. Questions:

A. Differentiate compound microscope from the following kinds of microscope:

1. Electron microscope
 Compound microscopes help observe the outer surface of cells at the
cellular and tissue levels like epithelial and connective tissues.
Whereas electron microscopes aid in studying the gross internal 3D
structure of cells. Compound microscopes have magnification ranging
between 500x to 2000x. You can calculate microscope magnification
with this technique. Conversely, electron microscopes have a high
magnification of 100,000 to 500,000x.

2. Scanning probe microscope

 Electron microscopes differ from light microscopes in that they

produce an image of a specimen by using a beam of electrons rather
than a beam of light. Electrons have much a shorter wavelength than
visible light, and this allows electron microscopes to produce higher-
resolution images than standard light microscopes.

3. Polarizing microscope
 A compound microscope provides a two-dimensional image, while a
stereo microscope provides a three-dimensional image. Compound
microscopes typically provide magnification in the range of 40x-
1000x, while a stereo microscope will provide magnification of 10x-
40x.

B. What is the application of microscope in the following fields of science?

1. Botanical field
 It is essential to the study of botany to observe microscopic structures.
Through the use of a microscope, it is possible to distinguish many
anatomical or life cycle traits that are used to distinguish between
lineages of organisms.

2. Biological field
 Because biology primarily deals with the study of cells (and their
contents), genes, and all organisms, microscopes are essential tools.
Some organisms are so tiny that the only way to see them is by using
a microscope and magnifications between 40x and 1000x.

3. Crime investigation
 Forensic scientists use the microscope to locate, isolate, recognize,
and contrast samples. The stereomicroscope is used for preliminary
evidence evaluations due to its low magnification, wide field of view,
large working distance, and stereoscopic vision.

Reference: Cejes and Libres-Etis (2014). Laboratory Manual for Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology First Edition. ChapterHouse
Publishing Incorporated, Novaliches, Quezon City.
https://personal.math.ubc.ca/~cass/courses/m309-03a/m309-projects/yeh/micro.htm
https://microscopeinternational.com/compound-microscope-parts/ Page 3 of 4
 FORENSIC CHEMISTRY AND TOXICOLOGY

4. Medical field
 Microscopes allow doctors to examine objects at a micron scale in
order to observe and analyze materials that would otherwise be
invisible to the naked eye. Microscopes can help in nearly every
specialized area of medicine and have long been one of the most
dependable vision tools for surgeons and physicians alike when
performing delicate procedures.
V. Conclusion:

I have learned in this activity that with the aid of a microscope, we can examine
details of objects that are not visible to the naked eye. Without them, we wouldn't be
aware of the existence of cells, the way that plants breathe, or the way that rocks alter
through time.

Reference: Cejes and Libres-Etis (2014). Laboratory Manual for Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology First Edition. ChapterHouse
Publishing Incorporated, Novaliches, Quezon City.
https://personal.math.ubc.ca/~cass/courses/m309-03a/m309-projects/yeh/micro.htm
https://microscopeinternational.com/compound-microscope-parts/ Page 4 of 4