MODULE 2:

VIEWING THE MICROBIAL WORLD TOTAL MAGNIFICATION

Learning Objectives: MAGNIFICATION = Objective lens x Eyepiece lens

 Identify the main parts of a microscope, such as

the optical and mechanical parts.

 Explain the function of each part of a

microscope, including the magnifying,
illuminating, and mechanical parts.

 Calculate the total magnification of a

microscope.

 Demonstrate the proper care and handling of a

microscope. As the magnification level increases, more details can be

MICROSCOPE is an optical instrument used to seen but less area of the specimen is visible.
observe small objects or organisms that are too
ONION CELL 40x ONION CELL 100x ONION CELL400x
small to be seen with the naked eye.

Main Parts of a Microscope

Optical Parts It is used to view, magnify, and

produce an image from a specimen placed on a
slide.

Mechanical Parts It supports and facilitates its

operation, including stage, focusing B. Illuminating Parts:
mechanisms, and body frame.
MIRROR/LIGHT SOURCE
1. OPTICAL PARTS
 Produce illumination.
A. Magnifying Parts used to enlarge the  Act as a light reflector allowing
specimen, making the focus appear larger. observer to see the specimen
more clear
 Ocular/Eyepiece  Located beneath the stage.

 Objectives

2. IRIS DIAPHRAGM
 Control the amount of light
 Ocular/ reaching the specimen.
E yepiece  Located above the condenser but
used to beneath the stage.
further  Controlling contrast and
magnify resolution of the image.
the image
produced
by the 3. CONDENSER
objective  Help focus and direct the light
lens. It has onto the specimen on the
a magnification power of 10x or 15x. microscope stage.
 Located beneath the stage.
 Objectives are the lenses closest to the  Improve image quality.
specimen and used to greatly magnify the
specimen.
2. MECHANICAL PARTS be sure to cover the kit to prevent dust and other
contaminants from reaching the apparatus.
BASE - The bottom of the microscope, used for
support. STORE SAFELY- Keep the microscope in a draft-
free, dry place, where it won’t get bumped, pushed,
DRAW TUBE - Carries the ocular, it can be wet and where things will not fall on it. Make sure
adjusted to control tube length and so effect the microscope is level to the table/bench.
corrections for the objective lens.

ARM - The part of the microscope that connects the KEEP AREA CLEAN
eyepiece tube to the base.
 Keep the area clean, organized and ready
BODY TUBE - The body tube is a hollow tube to use for the next person.
through which light travels from the objective to the
ocular. It contains a prism at the base of the tube  Keep the stage clean with lens paper to
that bends the light rays so they can enter the remove dust and particles, you can use a
inclined tube. little alcohol to remove oil and other dirt if
needed.

 A small soft brush or canned air can be

used to dust off the microscope – use
carefully.

 Do not prepare or stain samples next to

the microscope.

TAKE CARE OF BULBS

 Turn the microscope off after use. Do not keep

 The DUST SHIELD is a mechanical part the light on all day as this will shorten the bulb’s
of a microscope that lies above the life.
nosepiece. Its function is to keep the dust
from settling on the objectives.  Always have extra bulbs handy, not just one but
at least two.
 NOSE PIECE: The body tube has three
holes that have places to fit the objective REFER TO THE USER MANUAL
lens. This structure is called the nose
piece.  Keep the manual right next to the microscope:
hang it on the wall, place it in a drawer, just
 COARSE ADJUSTMENT KNOB: It is a have it readily available. Important numbers to
comparatively bigger knob that is used for have handy in this manual are lightbulb reorder
more significant alterations. number and microscope technician phone
number.
 FINE ADJUSTMENT KNOB: It is a tiny
knob that is used for focusing on the slide  If new to the lab read through the manual at
accurately. This knob can make only small least once – this is essential, especially if you
adjustments. do not want to rely completely on oral history.

GENERAL CARE & HANDLING OF MAINTAIN YOUR MICROSCOPE

MICROSCOPE
 If new to the lab read through the manual at
HANDLE WITH CARE- If the least once – this is essential, especially if you
microscope must be moved, do not want to rely completely on oral history.
carry it from the base and
support arm, if picked up by
stage or eyepiece holder it can
become misaligned.

KEEP COVERED- Every time

you use or clean the microscope
 REFERENCES:

• Accu-Scope. (n.d.). What Are the Different Magnifications of Objective Lenses? Retrieved
from https://accu-scope.com/news/what-are-the-different-magnifications-of-objective-
lenses/
• How to care for your microscope. Technology Networks. (n.d.).
https://www.technologynetworks.com/tn/how-to-guides/how-to-care-for-your-microscope-
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tjTJ8JXh5H8p2IzjJFQWAE
• Slideshare. (2014, September 27). Parts and functions of a microscope. SlideShare.
https://www.slideshare.net/IdefineRED/parts-and-functions-of-a-microscope\
• Slideshare. (2014, September 27). Parts and functions of a microscope. SlideShare.
https://www.slideshare.net/IdefineRED/parts-and-functions-of-a-microscope?
fbclid=IwAR2JaqbEX4tU0RKM2TtKVqxLObLB2Tb-pFA6IqSjuJHLebGUaUhFQZmdu-U
• Vedantu. (2023, August 11). Parts of a compound microscope - mechanical and optical
parts. VEDANTU. https://www.vedantu.com/biology/compound-microscope-parts?
fbclid=IwAR1pRkeQdCNflpvQ_hcwjcSa71DjUyFTzjYKi7p7PM76PPno_7pmakLc6l0
• YouTube. (2021, November 14). Parts of a microscope and their functions | simple
animation. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8Nzk88cPRM