MICROSCOPE:

A microscope derived from Greek word (mikrós) 'small', and (skopéō) 'to look at,
examine, inspect is a laboratory instrument used to examine objects that are too
small to be seen by the naked eye.

Microscopy is the science of investigating small objects and structures using a

microscope.

Microscopic means being invisible to the eye unless aided by a microscope.

HISTORY:
Dutch spectacle makers in 1590 Zaccharias Janssen and Hans Lipperhey are
notedas the first men to develop the concept of the compound microscope.

but in 1609 Galileo Galilei & kepler developed modern class microscope.

In 1672, Anton van Leeuwenhoek began polishing and grinding lenses & enlarge
an object by 200x-300x by inventing different shape lens. The quality of his lenses
allowed him, for the first in history, to see the many microscopic animals, bacteria
and intricate detail of common objects. That’s why known as “FATHER OF
MICROSCOPY”

The term microscope was first coined by Faber in 1623.

TYPES OF MICROSCOPE:
1) A magnifying instrument that uses only one lens to magnify objects is called
a Simple microscope. Some examples of the simple microscope are jewelry
eyepieces, reading glasses, and pocket magnifiers.

2) A magnifying instrument that uses two types of lens to magnify an object

with different zoom levels of magnification is called a compound microscope
(also called light microscope). It consists of two types of lenses a) the objective
lens which creates a resolved image and the b) eyepiece lens which magnifies
the object.

3) electron microscope: It uses a beam of accelerated electrons as a source of

illumination. As the wavelength of an electron can be up to 100,000 times shorter
than that of visible light photons, electron microscopes have a higher resolving
power than light microscopes and can reveal the structure of smaller
objects.furtherdivided into
PARTS OF MICROSCOPE:
The parts of the compound microscope can be categorized into:

• Mechanical parts
• Optical parts

(A) Mechanical Parts of a Compound Microscope

1. Foot or base
It is a U-shaped structure and supports the entire weight of the
compoundmicroscope.
2. Pillar
It is a vertical projection. This stands by resting on the base and supports the stage.
3. Arm
The entire microscope is handled by a strong and curved structure known as
thearm.
4. Stage
The flat and rectangular plate that is connected to the arm’s lower end is called
the stage. The specimen is placed on the stage for studying and examining the
variousfeatures. The centre of the stage has a hole through which light can pass.
5. Inclination joint
It is a joint, wherein the arm is fastened to the compound microscope’s pillar.
Themicroscope can be tilted using the inclination joint.
6. Clips
The upper part of the stage is connected to two clips. The slide can be held in its
position with the help of the clips.
7. Diaphragm
The diaphragm is fastened below the stage. It controls and adjusts the intensity
oflight that passes into the microscope. The diaphragm can be of two types:

• Disc diaphragm
• Iris diaphragm
8. Nose piece
The nose piece is circular and a rotating metal part that is connected to the
body tube’s lower end. The nose piece has three holes wherein the objective
lenses areembedded.
9. Body tube
The upper part of the arm of the microscope comprises a hollow and tubular
structure known as the body tube. The body tube can be shifted down and up
usingthe adjustment knobs.
10. Fine adjustment knob
It is the smaller knob, which is used for sharp and fine focusing of the object. For
accurate and sharp focusing, this knob can be used.
11. Coarse adjustment knob
It is a large knob that is used for moving the body tube down and up for
bringingthe object to be examined under exact focus.

(B) Optical Parts of Compound Microscope

1. Eyepiece lens or Ocular
At the top of the body tube, a lens is planted which is known as the eyepiece.
Onthe rim of the eyepiece, there are certain markings such as 5X, 10X, 15X, etc.
These indicate the magnification power. The object’s magnified image can
beobserved with the help of an eyepiece.
2. Mirror
A mirror is found attached wither to the pillar or the lower end of the arm. It
consists of a concave mirror on one side and a plain mirror on the other side. It
canbe used for reflection of light rays into the microscope.
3. Objective lenses
At the bottom of the body tube, there are two objective lenses, which are
connectedto the revolving nose piece. The three objective lenses are as follows:

• Oil immersion objective – 100X

• High power objective – 45X
• Low power objective – 10X
 Working Mechanism of The Compound Microscope
• View into the eyepiece. Rearrange the mirror such that adequate light
passesinto the microscope.
• The mirror, lenses, stage, and slides should be cleared of dust and be clean.
• Place the slide in the middle of the stage.
• Firmly secure the slide with clips at two edges of the slide to ensure that
theslide cannot move.
• The nose piece is adjusted in such a way that the low power objective
isaligned with the object of focus placed on the slide.
• The coarse adjustment knob can be shifted upwards or downwards such
thatthe slide is well under focus.
• Turn the fine adjustment knob by moving upwards or downwards to get a
clear and sharp image of the object under focus.
• All minute details of the object are observed under low power objective.
Necessary diagrams are sketched.
• The nose piece is now turned to bring the high-power objective aligning
with the object. The fine adjustment knob is tuned as much as possible to
get a bright and precise view of the object.
• In high power, the details of the object are observed. Draw the necessary
diagrams. The coarse adjustment knob should not be used when the object
isbeing examined in high power as it can crush the slide.
 Precautions
• The objective lenses and eyepiece should be cleaned with the help of silk
clothand cleaning liquid before using.
• The microscope should not be tilted when working, using it.
• When an object needs to be studied, focus on low power objective first
andthen move to high power.
• The lower power needs to be left in place after all observations are
completed.
• When focusing, care needs to be taken to ensure that the objective lens
neverstrikes the stage or the slide.
• Only the fine adjustment knob should be used when the high-power
objectiveis employed.
• Cover slip should always be used to cover well-mount preparations
beforeobservation under the microscope is made.
• Do not dismantle the microscope.
• When carrying the microscope, always use both hands.
• Try to place it in a box after using the microscope.
• The concave part of the mirror should be used under dim light.
• Oil immersion lens should never be used without the use of oil