MICROSCOPE

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:

microscope easily. One can hold the arm with

on hand and put another hand under the base

An eyepiece is a magnifying lens attached to

of the microscope so that it can be carried

the microscope which helps in magnifying the

easily.

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

4.

Base:

microscope as it holds the eye piece and

The base is the bottom part of the microscope,

connects it to the objective.

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

3.

Arm:

The arm is the part of microscope that

connects to the base and helps carry the

an unstable base, the results may not be as

accurate as we require.

slides is crucial hence stage clips are used to

provide stability to the slides.
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

8.

Revolving Nosepiece or Turret:

volts to provide steady light to the sample in

A nosepiece is the part of the microscope

order to facilitate the experiment/study.

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
6.

Stage:

objective lens can be brought to use.

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

10.

results.

It is a part of the microscope responsible for

Rack Stop:

adjusting and determining the distance

between the objective lens and the specimen.
7.

Stage Clip:

It is very important as it avoids the ramming of

Stage clips are used to hold the slides in place

objective lens into the slide, which can result in

in the absence of a mechanical stage. It is

destroying the slide and specimen.

used in comparatively simpler experiments. But

even in simpler experiments, the movement of

11.

Condenser Lens:

14.

Fine Adjustment Knob:

The function of the condenser lens is to collect

This knob is a sub part of the Coarse

the light from the illuminator and focus it on the

adjustment knob. It is used to bring the

specimen. A microscope with a condenser

specimen into sharp focus.

provides with a sharper and clearer image than

a microscope without a condenser.
15.

Power Switch:

A Power switch is an electrical switch present

12.

Diaphragm or Iris:

at the bottom of the microscope in order to

The diaphragm is used to control the amount of

switch of the light source i.e., the illuminator. At

light reaching the specimen. In a student scope

times the researcher/user does not require the

it is a rotating disk under the stage and above

light from illuminator. In such a case, the power

the condenser. There are various holes in the

switch can be used to turn off the illuminator.

diaphragm in order to facilitate the variants in

the experiments carried on.
16.

Low Power Objective:

Low Power objective is a short length

13.

Coarse adjustment knob:

objective, most widely used in the microscopes

A coarse adjustment knob is a knob present on

to view slides. Usually the experiments carried,

the arm of a microscope. The main function of

use low power objective until the study of the

this knob is to move the specimen back or forth

specimen is very specific. Also due to the short

to adjust the slide containing specimen in order

length of the objective, it avoids ramming into

to bring it to focus and show the best image

the slide and protecting it from breaking.

possible. The coarse adjustment should be

carefully moved and adjusted to attain desired
results.

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.

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
18.

Specimen on the Glass slide:

modifications in the microscopes like binocular

A glass slide is a thin and flat piece of glass

or trinocular lenses, cameras and such

used in the microscope. The specimen is kept

additional apparatus. With the advancement in

on the glass slide and put under the objective

the technology, such add on products are being

in order to study it. A typical glass slide is of

invented to enhance the microscopic studies.

dimensions 75x 26mm and about 1 mm thick.

But what we have discussed are the basic

The specimen on the glass slide is further

parts of a microscope everyone using a

covered with a very thin and smaller sheet of

microscope should know. Its always better to

glass called a cover slip so that the specimen

befriend a machine before using it in order to

doesnt spill on the glass slide.

get the best results in least time.