NATURAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT

USE OF THE MICROSCOPE

Objectives:

 Name the functions of the mechanical parts of the microscope.

 Practice the proper care when using and handling the microscope.
 Identify the parts of a microscope in a diagram.
 Use the microscope correctly.

Materials: A sheet of newspaper, cover and slide, water and droppers, microscope, scissors, hairs of different
colors, transparent plastic ruler.

Background Information
Biological specimens can be very small. For this reason, we often use an optical instrument that enlarges the image,
called a microscope. There are many types of microscopes: light microscopes, electron microscopes, phase contrast
microscopes, ultraviolet light microscopes, fluorescence microscopes. The most commonly used is the light
microscope, which can be solar or electric.

Optical Parts of the Microscope

1. Mirror or Lamp: In mirror microscopes, it is flat on one side and concave on the other. The flat mirror
changes the direction of light rays; the concave mirror changes the direction of light rays and concentrates
them, increasing their intensity. The flat mirror is used with a natural light source, while the concave mirror
is used with electric light. Most modern microscopes come equipped with an electric light source.
2. Condenser: A lens placed below the stage, whose function is to convert divergent light rays into a parallel
stream of rays that pass through the studied object.
3. Objectives: Each objective is composed of a system of several lenses, which focus the light pattern formed
by the object under study to convert it into a real image. Most microscopes are equipped with lenses with
magnifications of 4x, 10x, 40x, and higher resolution microscopes can have up to 100x. (For example, 4x
magnifies four times).
4. Eyepiece Lens: The function of the eyepiece is to magnify the image formed by the objective. It indicates
its magnification (10x; 15x). The total magnification of the microscope can be determined by multiplying
the magnification of both lenses: the objective and the eyepiece. For example, combining a 10x eyepiece
with a 10x objective results in 100x magnification. The eyepiece is located at the upper end of the tube.

Mechanical Parts of the Microscope

1. Diaphragm: A mechanical device placed below the condenser, used to regulate the amount of light that
passes through the observed object.
2. Coarse Adjustment Knob: The larger knob located at the top of the microscope. It is used to move the
eyepiece tube or stage up and down. This should only be used when observing with the lowest
magnification objective (4x).
3. Fine Adjustment Knob: Used to move the eyepiece tube at very small distances and is mainly used to fine-
tune the focus.
4. Clips or Mechanical Stage: Placed on the stage to hold the slide or specimen securely. The two adjustment
knobs allow moving the sample forward, backward, left, and right to focus on the desired part.
5. Revolving Nosepiece: The part that holds the objectives. Typically, it contains three objectives of varying
magnification: low, medium, and high.
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 Structural Parts of the Microscope

1. Arm: Used to carry the microscope. It should be held along with the base when moving it.
2. Base: Provides stability and support to the microscope.
3. Tube or Body: Houses the eyepiece, revolving nosepiece, and objectives. This part contains the
microscope’s main structure.
4. Stage: Located below the objectives, it is where the sample is placed and secured with clips for observation.

Procedure

1. Identify the parts of the microscope and represent them in a diagram.

2. Place the lowest magnification objective, turn on the microscope, and observe the illuminated field.
3. Cut out the letter "e" from the newspaper and place it on the slide. Mount it in the center of the stage and
secure it with clips.
4. Turn the coarse adjustment knob so that the objective is approximately one centimeter from the specimen.
5. Look through the eyepiece and slowly lower the stage using the coarse adjustment knob until the specimen
is in focus. Then fine-tune the focus using the fine adjustment knob. Draw the letter "e" at 4x magnification.
6. Without moving the coarse adjustment knob, rotate the nosepiece to the 10x objective. Then, use the fine
adjustment knob to bring the image into focus. Draw the letter "e" at 10x magnification.

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 Letter “e” 4x Letter “e” 10x

7. When finished observing, return the 10x objective to its original position (4x), raise the tube, and remove
the sample.
8. To determine the field diameter, place a transparent ruler marked in millimeters on the stage. Using the
lowest magnification objective, observe how many millimeters are visible through the eyepiece.
_____________________________________________.
9. To determine the depth of focus, place two hairs of different colors in a crisscross pattern on a slide and
observe them under the 4x objective. Slowly adjust the fine focus and describe your observations.
__________________________________________________________________________________.

10. Cut out a colored image and observe it at a) 4x and b) 10x magnification. Draw and color the images as seen
through the microscope.

Visual field 4x (8) Depht 4x (9) image 4x (10a) image 10x (10b)

Evaluation

1. How do you calculate the actual magnification used in the microscope?

2. What procedure should be followed when using the microscope?
3. What magnification should the microscope be set to when not in use?
4. Which adjustment knob should be used for magnifications of 10x and higher?
5. What is the function of the diaphragm?
6. What are the different magnifications available on the microscope you are using?