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Function of Each Microscope Part

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Function of Each Microscope Part

Uploaded by

Precious Moments
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Function of each Microscope Part

1. Eyepiece or Ocular Lens


Eyepiece lens magnifies the image of the specimen. This part is also known as ocular. Most school microscopes
have an eyepiece with 10X magnification.

2. Eyepiece Tube or Body Tube


The tube hold the eyepiece.

3. Nosepiece
Nosepiece holds the objective lenses and is sometimes called a revolving turret. You choose the objective lens
by rotating to the specific lens one you want to use.

4. Objective Lenses
Most compound microscopes come with three or four objective lenses that revolve on the nosepiece. The most
common objective lenses have power of 4X, 10X and 40X. Combined with the magnification of the eyepiece the
resulting magnification is 40X, 100X and 400X magnification. Total magnification is calculated by multiplying
the power of the eyepiece by the power of the objective lens. (10X Eyepiece X 40X Objective = 400X Total
Magnification) Some more advanced microscopes have an additional objective lens with 100X power. This
results in 1,000X magnification. So where do you start? Which objective lens do you need for a particular
task? See “How to Use a Compound Microscope” below.

5. Arm
The Arm connects the base to the nosepiece and eyepiece. It is the structural part that is also used to carry the
microscope.

6. Stage
The stage is where the specimen is placed. This place is for observation.

7. Stage Clips
Stage clips are the supports that hold the slides in place on the stage.

8. Diaphragm (sometimes called the Iris)


The diaphragm controls the amount of light passing through the slide. It is located below the stage and is
usually controlled by a round dial. How to set the diaphragm is determined by the magnification, transparency
of the specimen and the degree of contrast you wish to have in your image. Also called the condenser
diaphragm.

9. Illuminator
Most light microscopes use a low voltage bulb which supplies light through the stage and onto to the
specimen. Mirrors are sometimes used instead of a built-in light. If your microscope has a mirror, it provides
light reflected from ambient light sources like classroom lights or sunlight if outdoors.

10. Coarse focus


Coarse focus moves the stage to provide general focus on the specimen. When bringing a specimen into focus,
the course dial is the first one used.

11. Fine focus


Fine focus moves the stage in smaller increments to provide a clear view of the specimen. When bringing a
specimen into focus, the fine focus dial is the second one used.

12. Base
The base is the main support of the microscope. The bottom, where all the other parts of the microscope
stand.
If asked for the 14 parts of a microscope, it is generally because the three objective lenses are listed individually
instead of as a group.

Here are the details:

All 11 Parts Listed Above - 12 minus #4 (Objective Lenses)


12. Low Power Objective Lens - generally 4x magnification
13. Medium Power Objective Lens - generally 10x magnification
14. High Power Objective Lens - generally 40x magnification
Other Light Microscope Parts
15. Oil Immersion Objective Lens - generally 100x
16. Rack Stop
17. Condenser Lens
The SmartMicroScope Optix could could be the part you're missing!
Replace the microscope eyepiece with the Optix microscope camera to:
 Share the live image with the entire class and with virtual learners.
 Prevent close contact by avoiding everyone sharing microscopes.
 Take high resolution pictures
 Record HD videos
 Label specimen parts
 Measure
 Create quick assessments
 Share images through Google Drive
 Take pictures of labeled images to share as study guides or for formal assessments

How to Use a Compound Microscope


Using a light or compound microscope may seem overwhelming, but it’s really quite easy. Just follow these
easy steps to explore microscopic views:

1. Place the slide on the stage and secure with clips


2. Center the specimen over the opening in the stage
3. Rotate the objective lenses to choose the low power lens (the shortest one)
4. Turn the Microscope Light ON
5. Rotate the Course Focus (larger dial) while looking through the eyepiece until the specimen comes into
clear view
6. Adjust using the Fine Focus dial (smaller) to get a clearer image
7. Carefully rotate to the medium objective lens while keeping everything else the same.
8. Minor adjustments to Coarse Focus and Fine Focus may be necessary to get a clear image..

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