MLS 108 (LAB) – Parasitology (PRELIM)

L1: THE MICROSCOPE MECHANICAL PARTS .

❖ Virtually all organisms studied in microbiology ➢ The mechanical parts comprise all those structures
cannot be seen with the naked eye, but require the that support the whole device and which enable
use of optical systems for magnification. the operator to use the illuminating and magnifying
❖ Either Zacharias Janssen of the Netherlands or parts.
Galileo Galilei of Italy invented the microscope
shortly before 1600. History has been unable to ❖ Base
determine which scientist should be given credit. ➢ may be a U or Y shaped stand that supports
The microscope was not used to examine the microscope.
microorganisms until the 1680’s, when a clerk in a ❖ Pillar
dry goods store, Anton van Leeuwenhoek, ➢ a short piece of metal attached to one end of
examined scrapings of his teeth and any other the base. It also supports the microscope.
substances he could find. ❖ Handle/Arm
❖ The early microscopes, called the simple ➢ curved metallic part arising from the pillar. It is
microscopes, consisted of biconvex lenses and used in holding the microscope.
were essentially magnifying glasses. To see ❖ Inclination Screw
microbes, a compound microscope, which has two ➢ found at the junction of the pillar and the
lenses between the eye and the object, is required. handle. It is used to tilt the microscope.
❖ Body Tube
➢ cylindrical structure arising vertically from the
handle. It holds the dust shield and the
nosepiece with the objectives at the lower end.
❖ Draw Tube
➢ upper and smaller end of the body tube
bearing the eyepiece.
❖ Revolving Nosepiece
➢ circular structure at the lower end of the body
tube to which the objectives are attached.
❖ Dust Shield
➢ a thin circular structure at the lower end of the
body tube. It is used to protect the objectives
and the specimen from dust.
❖ Adjustment Screws
➢ two pairs of wheels attachéd to either side of
the body tube.
➔ Coarse Adjustment Knob
➢ bigger wheels used to adjust the low
power objective in focusing.
➔ Fine Adjustment Knob
➢ smaller wheels used for delicate focusing
in connection with the high power and oil
immersion objectives. It is also used to
make the specimen more clear and vivid.
❖ Stage
➢ square platform with an opening at the center.
It is where the slide is placed during focusing.
❖ Stage Clips
➢ paired structures on either side of the stage. It
is used to hold the slide in place.
❖ Mirror Rack
Parts and Function . ➢ found below the stage and attached to the
pillar. It holds the mirror.
According to their functions, the parts of the compound ❖ Rack Stop
microscope are generally divided into: ➢ This is an adjustment that determines how
mechanical and illuminating & magnifying parts. close the objective lens can get to the slide.
MLS 108 (LAB) – Parasitology (PRELIM)

ILLUMINATING AND MAGNIFYING PARTS . ➔ Resolution or resolving power

➢ The illuminating and magnifying parts consist ◆ ability of lenses to reveal fine detail or two points
mainly of lenses and glass parts. distinctly separated; two objects are seen as distinct
even though they are very close together.
❖ Ocular or Eyepiece ➔ It is a function of the wavelength of light used and a
➢ found on the draw tube through which the characteristic of the lens system called
operator peeps during actual focusing. numerical aperture.
❖ Mirror ➔ Resolving power is expressed in units of length;
➢ found below the stage near the base provided the smaller the distance, the better the resolving
with concave and plane surfaces. It is used to power
collect and direct light to the specimen.
❖ Iris Diaphragm Wavelength of light used
➢ found below the stage consisting of regularly Resolving = —----------------------------------
arranged circular blades used to regulate the 2 X numerical aperture
central opening to decrease the increase of
the light reflected on the object. The microscope is a very important tool in microbiology,
❖ Objectives and it must be used carefully and correctly. Follow
➢ tube-like structures attached to the revolving these GUIDELINES every time you use a
nosepiece. microscope:
❖ Low Power Objective (LPO)
➢ often marked with 10X or 6X. It is usually 1. Carry the microscope with one hand beneath the
shorter than the two other objectives and it base and one hand on the arm.
usually forms the general outline or wider
portion of the object. 2. Do not tilt the microscope, instead, adjust your stool
❖ High Power Objective (HPO) so you can comfortably use the instrument.Observe
➢ often marked with 45X or 43X. It is longer than the slide with both eyes open, to avoid eyestrain.
the LPO. It forms a bigger image of the object
3. Always focus by moving the lens away from the
in focus and is used to examine living
slide.
microorganisms suspended in drops of water.
In most cases, it is used to enlarge specimens 4. Always focus slowly and carefully.
that are so small under LPO.
❖ Oil Immersion Objective (OIO) 5. When using the low power lens, the iris diaphragm
➢ often marked with 100X or 90X. It has the should be barely open so that good contrast is
highest degree of magnification and is used to achieved. More light is needed with higher
examine stained preparations of magnification.
microorganisms using immersion oil as their
medium. 6. Before using the oil immersion lens, have your slide
❖ Aperture in focus under high power. Always focus with your
➢ is the hole in the stage through which the base low power first.
(transmitted) light reaches the stage.
7. Keep the stage clean and free of oil. Keep all
lenses except the oil immersion lens free of oil.
All of the objectives (with the possible exception of the
scanner objective) are PARFOCAL; that is, when a 8. Keep all lenses clean. Use only lens paper to clean
subject is in focus with one lens, it will be in focus with them. Wipe oil off before putting your microscope
all the lenses. away. Do not touch the lenses with your hands.

➔ The magnification of a microscope depends on 9. Clean the ocular lens carefully with lens paper. If
the type of objective lens used with the ocular; it is dust is present, it will rotate as you turn the lens.
stamped on the barrel
➔ Compound microscopes have three or four 10. After use, remove the slide, wipe off oil, put the dust
objective lenses mounted on a nosepiece: cover on, and return the microscope to the
scanning, low power, high dry, and oil designated area.
immersion.
11. When a problem does arise with the microscope,
➔ The total magnification (mag) of the object =
obtain help from the instructor. Do not use another
mag of ocular (usually 10X) x mag of objective lens
microscope unless yours is declared “out of action”.
MLS 108 (LAB) – Parasitology (PRELIM)

How to Focus Your Microscope .

1. The proper way to focus a microscope is to start

with the lowest power objective lens first and while
looking from the side, crank the lens down as close
to the specimen as possible without touching it.

2. Now, look through the eyepiece lens and

focus upward only until the image is sharp.

3. If you can't get it in focus, repeat the process again.

4. Once the image is sharp with the low power lens,

you should be able to simply click in the next power
lens and do minor adjustments with the focus knob.

5. If your microscope has a fine focus adjustment,

turning it a bit should be all that's necessary.

6. Continue with subsequent objective lenses and fine

focus each time.