EXERCISE 1

Microscopy
Name: Score:
Section & Group Number: Date submitted:

INTRODUCTION

The development of microscopes has allowed humans to discover and study microorganisms such as
bacteria, fungi, algae and protozoa which are too small to be seen by the naked eye. The use of these
instruments allows objects to be magnified a hundred or thousand times.

There are two general types of microscopes which mainly depend on the illuminating source and
focusing aide in order to visualize the specimen or object: the light microscope which utilizes visible light
waves and lenses, and the electron microscope which uses electron beams and electromagnets or
magnetic fields.

The type of microscope usually used in a typical laboratory setting is a light compound
microscope because it employs two lenses, the objective and ocular. It can magnify objects twice or thrice its
actual size as compared to a simple microscope. On the other hand, a simple microscope employs only a
single lens and magnifies up to 300X only.

OBJECTIVES

At the end of this exercise, the student should be able to:

a. identify and state each function of the parts of the compound microscope,
b. handle the microscope properly,
c. differentiate the two types of microscopes,
d. explain how images are formed in a microscope, and
e. determine the properties of microscope objectives.

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 Activity 1. Examine and LABEL the microscope and give the FUNCTION of each of the parts.

EYEPIECE/OCULAR LENS

EYEPIECE TUBE

DIOPTER ADJUSTMENT

HEAD

ARM

NOSE PIECE

OBJECTIVE LENSES
SLIDE HOLDER/STAGE CLIP
APERTURE
SPECIMEN STAGE

CONDENSER
DIAPHRAGM COARSE ADJUSTMENT
STAGE CONTROL KNOB

LIGHT SOURCE FINE ADJUSTMENT

KNOB

BASE

Figure 1. Compound microscope: Parts and Functions

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 Activity 1. Examine and LABEL the microscope and give the FUNCTION of each of the parts

1. Illuminator (Light Source)

A microscopic illuminator is a light source. In some compound microscope, the mirror is used which
reflect the light from an external source to the sample. In other optical microscopes, different electric
bulbs of low voltages are used as a constant light source. Commonly used illuminators are tungsten-
halogen lamps, 75-150W Xenon lamps, tin-halide lamps, mercury vapor lamps, etc. The selection of
types of a bulb is based on the requirement of intensity and wavelength for illumination.
2. Diaphragm (Iris)
Diaphragm (Iris) is an adjustable apparatus that regulates the amount of light that reaches the
specimen. It is located below the stage, just above the illuminator. It regulates the intensity and size of
the beam of light striking the specimen.
3. Condenser
The condenser is to focus the light, which passes from the microscopic illuminator to the specimen.
This condenser is located just below the diaphragm.
4. Stage
The stage is a flat platform where a slide with a specimen is placed for viewing. The stage has a
central aperture through which the focused light from the condenser strikes the specimen. It contains
two-stage clips for holding the slide in a fixed position.
Most microscopes have a mechanical stage. This type of stage allows for the mechanical movement of
slides using stage control knobs.
5. Stage Control Knobs
Stage Control Knobs are the control knobs used to move the stage mechanically. There are two
knobs; one for moving left and right, and the other for moving forward and backward. This will move
the slide in the field of vision.
6. Nose Piece
Nose Piece is a movable circular structure that houses all the objective lenses. It is also called the
revolving turret. It is connected to the body tube and lies just above the stage. It can be rotated
clockwise or counterclockwise to increase or decrease the magnification respectively. The change in
magnification results due to a change in the objective lens.
7. Objective Lens
Generally, a microscope contains three to four objective lenses with 4X, 10X, 40X, and 100X
magnifying power; the role of the lens is to focus light rays at a specific place called the focal point.
The distance between the center of lens and the focal point is the focal length and the power or
strength of the lens is related to focal length, i.e. the shorter the focal length, the more magnification.
8. Tube (Head)
Tube (Head) is a cylindrical metallic tube that holds the eyepiece lens at one end and connects to the
nose piece at other ends. It is also called a body tube or eyepiece tube. It connects the eyepiece lens to
the objective lens. The light coming from objectives will bend inside this tube.
9. Eyepiece (Ocular Lens)
This part is the one on top where users view or look through the device; the eyepiece tube is the tube
that connects the ocular lens to the device itself.They magnify the image for the second time.

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10. Diopter Adjustment
Diopter Adjustment is a control knob present only in the binocular microscope that is used to change
focus on one eyepiece. It is used to correct any difference in vision and compensate for the differences
in vision between the two eyes of the viewer.
11. Adjustment Knobs
Adjustment Knobs are the control knobs used to focus the microscope on the specimen. These knobs
are of two types;
11a. Fine Adjustment Knob
Fine Adjustment Knob is used for fine adjustment. It is a smaller knob and is used to move the stage
up or down very slowly. A very small distance is covered by the stage on each rotation of the fine
adjustment knob. It is used to sharpen the image. It is mostly used while viewing under high power.
11b. Coarse Adjustment Knob
Coarse Adjustment Knob is used for focusing the image under low power magnification. It is a
larger knob and is used to move the stage up or down very rapidly. The stage is raised or lowered
rapidly with the help of a coarse adjustment knob.
12. Arm
Arm is a structural part of the microscope that connects the head (tube) with the base of the
microscope. It provides support to the head.
13. Base
Base is the lowermost part of the microscope that supports the entire microscope structure. It provides
stability for the microscope. Illuminator, light switches, and electrical wiring system are fitted in the
base.
14.Eyepiece tube
The eyepiece tube is nothing but a holder to hold the eyepiece. In some binoculars, the eyepiece tube
is flexible, which leads to bringing more visualization by adjusting the distance.

15.Aperture
An aperture is nothing but a circular opening or hole in the middle portion of the stage. The function
of the aperture is to transmit the light from the source of light or microscopic illuminator to the stage
of the microscope.

16. STAGE
This part is where the microscope slide with samples for analysis; it normally has clips that prevents a
slide from moving while it is being viewed by the user from the eyepiece part; the slide can be moved
manually while it is being viewed or it can be moved mechanically if you are using a microscope with
a mechanical platform.

17. STAGE CLIP

this part of the microscope prevents the microscope slides from moving or falling.

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Table 1. The Properties of Microscope Objectives
Objectives
Property Scanning Low Power High Power Oil Immersion
Magnification
Numerical
Aperture
Working distance
Approximate
Focal length

Activity 1.2: Viewing an object with the compound light microscope

Materials:
● Compound light microscope
● Newspaper page - cut out “letter e”
● Scissors
● Forceps
● Beaker with water and dropper
● Clean slide and cover slip
● Paper towel

1. Obtain a prepared slide of the letter “e”.

a. Find a word containing a lowercase letter in a newspaper. Use scissors to
carefully cut out a small piece of paper that includes the letter e.
b. Pick up the piece containing the letter e with forceps and place it on the center of
a clean microscope slide.
c. Place a drop of water on the specimen
d. Place the coverslip on the slide. Put one edge of the coverslip into the drop of
water, and then slowly lower the coverslip on the specimen.
e. Remove any air bubbles from under the coverslip by gently tapping the coverslip.
f. Dry any excess water before placing the slide on the microscope stage for viewing.

2. Observe it under scanning power. Use the coarse adjustment knob to bring the specimen
into focus. Always begin focusing on an object by using the scanning objective (lowest
power). Diagram what you see below.

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 3. Compare the orientation of the “letter e” as seen with the microscope with the orientation
seen with the unaided eye. Do they appear the same in orientation? If not, what do you think
the reason is?

4. Diagram the letter “e” as seen in low power mode.

5. Switch to low power mode and observe the “letter e”. How does the letter “e”
appear different under low power as opposed to scanning power?

6. Now switch to high power. How does the letter e appear now? Diagram the “letter e” as
seen under high power below.

7. When you move the slide from right to left, how does it appear to move under
the microscope?

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 8. When you move the slide toward you, how does the letter e appear to move
under the microscope?

Guide Questions

1. How is an image formed in a light microscope?

2. Which objective has the shortest working distance? smallest depth of field? largest field of
view?

3. What is the function of oil when using the oil immersion objective?

4. Why should we make sure that a wet mount does not have air bubbles when preparing it?

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 5. What is the benefit of preparing a good wet mount?

6. What are the different types of microscopy? Give five. Give its functions and mention one
advantage and disadvantage for each.

7. Cite some advantages and disadvantages when using the light microscope and electron
microscope.

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REFERENCES:
 Dahal, P. (2022, September 12). 17 Parts of a Microscope with Functions and Diagram.
The Biology Notes. https://thebiologynotes.com/parts-of-a-microscope/
 Sastry, A. S., & K, S. B. (2016). Review of Microbiology and Immunology. Jaypee
Brothers,Medical Publishers Pvt. Limited.
 Parts of a Microscope - The Comprehensive Guide - Microscope and Laboratory
Equipment Reviews. (2022, November 2). Microscope and Laboratory Equipment
Reviews. https://microscopespot.com/the-parts-of-a-microscope/
 S. (2023, January 25). Guide to understand microscope parts, names, functions & diagram.
Slidingmotion. https://slidingmotion.com/microscope-parts-function-labeled-diagram/
#:~:text=The%20function%20of%20the%20aperture%20is%20to%20transmit,that
%20situates%20at%20the%20base%20of%20the%20microscope.

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