Microscope Micro-Lab Subject of Study 4

A compound light microscope uses visible light to illuminate a specimen and has two sets of
lenses for magnification; the ocular lenses and the objective lenses.

arm - this attaches the eyepiece and body tube to the base. back focus – the focus
base - this supports the microscope. technique we use, starting
body tube - the tube that supports the eyepiece. from high to moving away
coarse focus adjustment - knob, makes large adjustments to mechanical Stage – Used to
hold and control the position
iris diaphragm - adjustable amounts of light onto the stage. of the slide
eyepiece - where you place your eye. par focal – ability to keep
fine focus adjustment - makes small adjustments to the focus two points separate in a
ocular lens - a large lens with high magnifying power. microscopic field
objective lens- a small lens with low magnifying power. field of View – Will decrease
10x 40x 100x lens closest to the slide as magnification increases,
Ocular ( · ) Objective = Total Magnification round white area seen while
light source - this directs light upward onto the slide. looking into scope
nosepiece - the rotating device that holds the objectives condenser – additional lens
stage - the platform on which a slide is placed. system under the stage
stage clips – clips, that hold slide securely onto the stage. immersion oil – has the same
brightfield- has a light source that shines up, directly into the eyes refractive index as glass
binocular- eye piece looked through Resolution/Resolve Power
focal plane – used to initially find organism under 10x objective • ability of the lens to
parcentral – view stays in the middle show two adjacent
refractive index – bending power of light as it passes through the objects as discrete
airfrom the glass slide to the objective lens entities
Microscope Micro-Lab Subject of Study 4

Proper Care
1. To carry a microscope: first clear your desk to recieve the microscope, then grasp its
arm firmly, lift and support under the base with other hand, set on a cleared desk.
Remove and store its dust cover in cabinet under desk. Unwrap power cord, loop once
around gas outlet at rear of desk, plug into electrical outlet in front of desk.
2. Clean the lenses: use ONLY lens paper. Polish the objectives and oculars: breathe on
them lightly for moisture. If the view is still foggy, ask for help. (Slides may be polished
with Kimwipes.)
3. Always begin slide set-up with the stage lowered and the lowest power objective (4x) in
place.
4. Focus initially only by LOWERING the stage to the focal point using the coarse focus.
NEVER raise the stage using the coarse focus during focusing. (The objective may ram
the slide which can damage both.)
5. Use only the fine focus with higher power objectives. Make only minor changes in
focus when necessary with the fine focus knob. If you totally lose focus, return to a lower
power objective to find the focal point. Do not use the 100x objective unless you have
received specific instructions on its use. (See a separate handout for oil immersion
procedure.)
6. Carefully follow microscope use instructions.