Microscope Parts and their Functions

A microscope is used by jewelers to deliver perfection to the jewelry they design.

It is used by geologists to study about micro-organisms in soil. It is used by a
veterinarian as a tool to help treat animal health issues. All of these studies are
easier with the help of a microscope. In the recent years, schools all over the
world have included studies related to microorganisms and human cell structure
in their curriculum, exposing the students to microscopes at an early age which
has, as a result, enhanced the interest and knowledge of students helping them
later on in professional studies.
We all know what a microscope looks like. We all have used microscopes at one
time or another. But we fail to understand the microscope is a complex apparatus
combined together with many parts that make up the total instrument. As it is
said that before fighting a battle, one should know how to use their weapons
well. Similarly, before studying about or carrying ahead with your studies, it is
suggested to know the parts of microscopes and how they help you in deriving

better results. So lets discuss some of the most important parts of microscopes
and their usage:
1.

Eyepiece or Ocular lens:

An eyepiece is a magnifying lens attached to the microscope which helps in

magnifying the sample object. It is called an eyepiece as we need to place our
eye near it in order to see the magnifying image of the sample.
2.

Body Tube:

A body tube is an integral part of the microscope as it holds the eye piece and
connects it to the objective.
3.

Arm:

The arm is the part of microscope that connects to the base and helps carry the
microscope easily. One can hold the arm with on hand and put another hand
under the base of the microscope so that it can be carried easily.
4.

Base:

The base is the bottom part of the microscope, usually made up of durable
material as it supports the microscope to stand and provides stability. The base is
very important as stability is very important to gain accurate results. With an
unstable base, the results may not be as accurate as we require.
5.

Illuminator:

An illuminator is a source of light usually situated at the bottom/ base of the

microscope. It is a low voltage halogen bulb of about 110 volts to provide steady
light to the sample in order to facilitate the experiment/study.
6.

Stage:

A stage is an indispensable part of the microscope. It is a flat surface where the

slide with the specimen is placed. A mechanical stage is a stage used when

working with higher magnifications. It is moved by using knobs as even the

slightest moment can affect the results.
7.

Stage Clip:

Stage clips are used to hold the slides in place in the absence of a mechanical
stage. It is used in comparatively simpler experiments. But even in simpler
experiments, the movement of slides is crucial hence stage clips are used to
provide stability to the slides.
8.

Revolving Nosepiece or Turret:

A nosepiece is the part of the microscope which holds two or more objectives
simultaneously to provide various magnifications in order to view the same
specimen in various dimensions.
9.

Objective lens:

Objective lens is the part of microscope responsible for magnifying the image of
specimen. Usually there are three objective lenses in a standard microscope of
10X, 40X and 100X. Depending upon the aim of study and nature of the
specimen, the most suitable objective lens can be brought to use.
10. Rack Stop:
It is a part of the microscope responsible for adjusting and determining the
distance between the objective lens and the specimen. It is very important as it
avoids the ramming of objective lens into the slide, which can result in destroying
the slide and specimen.
11.

Condenser Lens:

The function of the condenser lens is to collect the light from the illuminator and
focus it on the specimen. A microscope with a condenser provides with a sharper
and clearer image than a microscope without a condenser.
12.

Diaphragm or Iris:

The diaphragm is used to control the amount of light reaching the specimen. In a

student scope it is a rotating disk under the stage and above the condenser.
There are various holes in the diaphragm in order to facilitate the variants in the
experiments carried on.
13.

Coarse adjustment knob:

A coarse adjustment knob is a knob present on the arm of a microscope. The

main function of this knob is to move the specimen back or forth to adjust the
slide containing specimen in order to bring it to focus and show the best image
possible. The coarse adjustment should be carefully moved and adjusted to
attain desired results.
14.

Fine Adjustment Knob:

This knob is a sub part of the Coarse adjustment knob. It is used to bring the
specimen into sharp focus.
15.

Power Switch:

A Power switch is an electrical switch present at the bottom of the microscope in

order to switch of the light source i.e., the illuminator. At times the
researcher/user does not require the light from illuminator. In such a case, the
power switch can be used to turn off the illuminator.
16.

Low Power Objective:

Low Power objective is a short length objective, most widely used in the
microscopes to view slides. Usually the experiments carried, use low power
objective until the study of the specimen is very specific. Also due to the short
length of the objective, it avoids ramming into the slide and protecting it from
breaking.
17.

High Power Objective:

High power objective, also known as high-dry objective is used to study a

specimen in very fine and detailed manner. It is a bit longer in length than the low
power objective and needs to be handled with care.

18.

Specimen on the Glass slide:

A glass slide is a thin and flat piece of glass used in the microscope. The
specimen is kept on the glass slide and put under the objective in order to study
it. A typical glass slide is of dimensions 75x 26mm and about 1 mm thick. The
specimen on the glass slide is further covered with a very thin and smaller sheet
of glass called a cover slip so that the specimen doesnt spill on the glass slide.
19.

Aperture:

Aperture is a small hole in the stage through which the light is transmitted and
passed on to the slide.
The above mentioned parts are the basic parts of a microscope. Almost all
microscopes use these parts in order to function smoothly. High level studies are
carried with the help of modifications in the microscopes like binocular or
trinocular lenses, cameras and such additional apparatus. With the advancement
in the technology, such add on products are being invented to enhance the
microscopic studies. But what we have discussed are the basic parts of a
microscope everyone using a microscope should know. Its always better to
befriend a machine before using it in order to get the best results in least time