Microscopy

What is a microscope?

Microscope

Microscope is a tool
which can help you see
tiny objects and living
organisms. It makes
them look bigger.

This ability of the

microscope is called its
magnifying power or
magnification.

Light microscope

Light microscope uses diffused light from the

sun or artificial light to illuminate the object to
be observed.

Microscopy
What are the parts of the microscope?

1. Arm

Supports the body tube.

2. Base

Supports and stabilizes the

microscope.

3. Eyepiece / ocular lens

Magnifies image produced

by objective lens.

4. Body Tube

Maintains the proper

distance between the
objective and ocular
lenses.

5. Coarse adjustment knob

Moves stage up and down

a large amount for
FOCUSING.

6. Fine adjustment knob

Moves stage up and down

a tiny amount to
SHARPEN the image.

7. Light source

(lamp or mirror) Provides

light for viewing the slide.
Projects light UPWARDS
through the diaphragm,
the SPECIMEN, and
the LENSES.

8. Diaphragm

Controls the amount of

light passing through
the slide.

9. Stage and stage clips

Stage clips
- hold the slide in place.
Stage
- Supports the slide
being viewed.

10. Objective lenses

Focus and magnify

light coming through the
slide.

11. Revolving nosepiece

Rotates to allow use of

different power objectives.

12. Inclination joint

Supports the arm and

controls the body of the
microscope.

Using the Microscope in 10 Steps

Follow these instructions when using the

microscope.
1. To carry the microscope, grasp the

ARM with one hand. Hold the BASE with

your other hand.

10 Steps to
Using the Microscope
2. Adjust the DIAPHRAGM while looking
through the EYEPIECE.
3. Adjust the LIGHT SOURCE (mirror) until
you see the circle of light.

10 Steps to
Using the Microscope
4. Place the slide on the STAGE.
5. Center the SPECIMEN over the small
opening on the STAGE.
6. Secure the slide with the STAGE CLIPS.

10 Steps to
Using the Microscope

7. While looking at the STAGE from the side,

turn the COURSE FOCUS KNOB to lower
the BODY TUBE until the LOW POWER
OBJECTIVE almost touches the slide.

10 Steps to
Using the Microscope

8. While looking through the EYEPIECE, carefully

move the COURSE FOCUS KNOB until the
specimen comes into view.
9. To switch to the HIGH POWER OBJECTIVE
LENS, look at the microscope from the side.

10 Steps to
Using the Microscope

10. Move the NOSEPIECE until the HIGH POWER

OBJECTIVE LENS clicks into place. If the
lens hits the slide, the slide and/or lens might
break.
Turn the FINE FOCUS KNOB until the
specimen comes into focus.

Specimen

Answer Each Question

1. The lens closest to your eye when you use a
microscope is the __________.
2. When using the microscope, always begin
work with the __________ objective first.
3. Which knob should you never use while on
medium or high power? Explain why.
4. The lens closest to the slide is the ___________.
5. When using the coarse focus knob, how
should you be view the slide? Explain why.
6. Carry the microscope with one hand on the
________. and the other on the __________.

End of discussion