A GUIDE TO USING THE COMPOUND MICROSCOPE

The use of the compound microscope is fundamental to the study of Biology since we have to
study cells, tissues and organisms that cannot be seen with the naked eye. These organisms
must be made bigger for us to see them and that is where the microscope comes in.

Equivalent though to the need for the microscope, in most cases, is the frustration that
students experience in not being able to properly manipulate the compound microscope. To
that I say it is just a tool - an accurately calibrated and highly expensive tool, but a tool none-
the-less to be manipulated and used by an intelligent (and sometimes not so intelligent) human
being.

This document serves to help you to be able to properly use the microscope for the Biology
program at TAMCC. We are going to cover the following areas:

A. Storage
B. Carrying the microscope
C. Manipulation

A. Storage

1. Before practicals you may be asked to retrieve a microscope from its cupboard

2. Each microscope is individually stored in a cabinet. To use the microscope

3. After using the microscope it needs to be placed back into its cabinet, and
returned to its storage cupboard

B. Carrying the microscope

1. When carrying the microscope, in its cabinet, grab the handle using your
stronger hand to lift and the other hand to support the base.

2. When carrying the microscope, without the cabinet, hold the scope by the arm
lifting with your stronger hand and supporting the base with the other hand.

1
Before proceeding to manipulation we will look briefly at how the microscope works and the
major problems that students usually encounter.

The compound microscope uses a series of lenses to create a [real] magnified image of the
object being viewed. The object is usually placed on the stage and illuminated. The image is
only properly realized when the object is at the focal length of the lens.

I would now highlight two major problems that I frequently encounter with students “use” of
the microscope.

Both problems usually have the same end result: “Sir I cian see nuttin.”

1. Alignment – the lens system in the microscope limit your field of view to a small
circle, diameter of about 4mm or sometimes smaller. Any object that lies beyond
that cannot be seen. It is critical to ensure that your object is properly aligned
with your lenses. Alignment ensures that the object is within the field of view
of the lenses.

2. Focus – for an image to be created the object must be at a specific distance from
the lens. This is the focal length. If the image is not at the focal length then it will
either be blurry/ not seen at all.

Focusing means that we are moving the object toward the focal length of the
lens. This is done by raising or lowering the stage using the course focus/fine
focus knobs. The closer the object is to the focal length of the lens, the clearer
your image will be.

Note: The focal length of the lens decreases with increasing power, so as you
move to the higher powers the slide will be closer to the objective.

In conclusion, of this part, in order for you to see an image your object must be
aligned with the lenses and must be at the focal length of each lens.

We will now look at how to manipulate the microscope being careful to avoid
the above-mentioned pitfalls.

2
C. Manipulation

1. To begin ensure that your microscope is in its start position i.e. the stage should be at
its lowest position and the x4 objective in place. [Why? The stage is most accessible at
its lowest position and we always start viewing with the x4 objective to scan our slide].
2. Place the slide on the stage and turn on the light source. Ensure the intensity is at its
maximum.
3. Close the diaphragm until a small spot of light is visible on the stage.
4. Use the lateral stage controls to move your specimen into the middle of that spot. (You
have just aligned your object with the lens)
5. Raise the stage to its highest position. Look into the oculars using both eyes.
Note that the highest position of the stage is close to the focal length of the x4
objective.
6. Using the course focus knob slowly lower the stage until you see a sharp image of your
specimen. This is what is referred to as the focusing the image. The object, by lowering
or raising the stage, is brought to the focal length of the lens.
7. Put the next lens (x10) in place by rotating the nose piece. When the lens is in place you
should hear a ‘click’.
8. Focusing with x4 objective lens has brought your object close to the focal length of the
x10 objective.
9. Using the fine focus knob, focus to obtain a sharp image. When focusing turn the knobs
slowly while carefully observing, looking for the sharpest possible image.
10. Put the next lens in place (x40). Again using the fine focus knob to obtain a sharp image.
11. When you are finished with the microscope, remove the slide from the stage and return
the microscope to the start position.
12. Put the microscope back into its cabinet.

Done by Arvin S. Pierre