The Microscope

Light Microscope
-uses light to create specimen image
-lenses are glass or plastic
-magnification and resolution are good
(2,000x)
 Benefits of Light Microscopes
• Smaller portable
• Cost effective
• Easy specimen prep (live specimens can
be used)
• Training simple/ user friendly
• Can see microscopic items
 2 Types of Light Microscope
1. Simple- Has one lens
Ex: magnifying glass, Leeuwenhoek’s
microscope

2. Compound- Has 2 or more lenses

Ex: High school Biology microscope
(more lenses create better image and
better resolution)
 Important properties of
Microscopes
1. Magnification- the power of the
microscope to enlarge the image of an
object

2. Resolution- the power of the

microscope to show detail clearly
Compound Light Microscope Parts
and Function
1. Ocular (eyepiece)- part you look through
-contains lenses that contribute to total
magnification
-power of 10x (magnifies 10 times)
Microscope Parts and Function
2. Body tube- hollow tube that keeps the
lenses of the ocular and objectives at a
set distance

3. Nosepiece- holds objectives

Microscope Parts and Function
4. Objectives- contain lenses that contribute
to total magnification
Magnification formula- calculate total
magnification

Total mag. = ocular power X objective power

 Total Magnification
Ocular Objective
10x red 4 = 40x
10x yellow 10 = 100x
10x blue 40 = 400x
*microscopes we use are parfocal- can
switch b/t lenses without much adjusting
**only use lens paper to clean objectives
Microscope Parts and Function
5. Arm- supports body tube

6. Base- supports entire microscope

(when carrying, keep hand back on base
because lamp will be hot!)

7. Stage- tray-like structure that supports

specimen/slide over stage opening
Microscope Parts and Function
8. Stage Clips- keep specimen/slide tight
against stage

9. Stage Opening- allows light to pass

through/around specimen

10. Diaphragm- controls amount of light that

reaches your eye
Microscope Parts and Function
11. Light source- provides light to create the
image that you see

12. Coarse adjustment- larger knob, that

moves 1 of 3 structures (body tube, stage,
or nosepiece) and allows for rough focus
Microscope Parts and Function
13. Fine Adjustment- smaller knob, moves
the objectives slightly and allows for fine
focusing
 Eyepiece
Body Tube

Revolving Nosepiece
Arm
Objective Lens

Stage
Stage Clips
Coarse Focus
Diaphragm
Fine Focus
Light

Base
USING THE MICROSCOPE

General Procedures all backpacks and

materials are out of the aisles and off the tops of

•Store with cord wrapped around microscope

and the scanning objective clicked into
place.
 
•Carry by the base and arm with both hands.
Focusing Specimens

 
1. Always start with the Scanning Objective.
2. Place your specimen in the center of your field of view.
3. Use the Coarse Knob to focus.
4. Next, use the Fine knob until clear.
5. Once you've focused on Scanning, switch to Low Power.
6. Repeat steps 3-4.
7. Now, switch to High Power. Fine Adjustment Knob
8. At this point, ONLY use the FINE ADJUSTMENT KNOB
to focus specimens.
Recap
1.  Scanning --> use coarse and fine knob DO NOT SKIP
2.  Low power --> use coarse and fine knob STEPS!!!!
3.  High power --> use fine knob only

What will happen if I use the course knob under high power?
Recap
1.  Scanning --> use coarse and fine knob DO NOT SKIP
2.  Low power --> use coarse and fine knob STEPS!!!!
3.  High power --> use fine knob only

What will happen if I use the course knob under high power?
The slide or lens could crack
 Field of View
• Field of View: the area a person can _____
view
through a microscope.
circle
– It is represented by a _______.
• RELATIONSHIP: As magnification
decreases
increases field of view __________.
__________,
– As you switch from scanning (40X) to high power
(100X), the area you see through the microscope
gets smaller.
– We can see better detail with higher powers of
magnification, but we cannot see as much of the
image.
 Inverted

• This means that the slide must be moved in the

opposite direction that you want the image to move.
• Ex. If you move the slide to the right on stage, as
you look through the microscope the slide
left
appears to move ____.
Cleanup
1. Store microscopes with the scanning objective in place.

2. Wrap cords and cover microscopes.  

                    *Double check to make sure you didn't leave a slide

3. Place microscopes in their designated location (probably a cabinet)

Troubleshooting
Occasionally you may have trouble with working your microscope. Here are some
common problems and solutions.

1. Image is too dark!

Adjust the diaphragm, make sure your light is on.

2. There's a spot in my viewing field, even when I move the slide the spot stays in the
same place!
Your lens is dirty. Use lens paper, and only lens paper to carefully clean the objective
and ocular lens. The ocular lens can be removed to clean the inside.  The spot is
probably a spec of dust.

3. I can't see anything under high power!

Remember the steps, if you can't focus under scanning and then low power, you won't
be able to focus anything under high power.  Start at scanning and walk through the
steps again. 

4. Only half of my viewing field is lit, it looks like there's a half-moon in there!
You probably don't have your objective fully clicked into place..
QUIZ
Practice Labeling the Parts
 #1 Tube – Reflects light up
to the viewers eye

Click Here to Return

to the Main Slide
 #2 Rotating Objects –
Allows for quick change of
objectives

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to the Main Slide
 #3 Low Power Objective –
The first lens you use when
doing proper microscope
work. Usually 4 X

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to the Main Slide
 #4 Medium Power
Objective – The second
lens you use when doing
proper microscope work.
Usually 10 X

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to the Main Slide
 #5 High Power Objective – The
highest magnification used.
Usually 43 X. NEVER use the
course adjustment when using
this lens.

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to the Main Slide
 #6 Stage Clips – Use to
keep the slide in place.

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to the Main Slide
 #7 Diaphragm – Use to vary the
amount of light passing through
the slide. Usually it is better if
the amount of light is low.

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to the Main Slide
 #8 Light Source – Sends
light up through the
diaphragm and through the
slide for viewing

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to the Main Slide
 #9 Eye Piece—The part you
look at with your eye.
Usually 10 X magnification.

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to the Main Slide
 #10 Neck – Used to safely
transport microscope

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to the Main Slide
 #11 Stage – Slides are
placed on this

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to the Main Slide
 #12 Coarse Adjustment –
Used to make large changes
in focus. NOTE Never use this
when viewing on high power

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to the Main Slide
 #13 Fine Adjustment –
Used to small adjustments
of focus

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to the Main Slide
 #14 Base – Used to safely
transport the microscope

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to the Main Slide
Quiz Over the Microscope
1.  When focusing a specimen, you should always start with the
___________________ objective.

2.  When using the high power objective, only the ________  

___________ knob should be used.

3.  What part of the microscope can adjust the amount of light

that hits the slide? ______________________________
4.  You should carry the microscope by the ________ and the
__________.

5.  The objectives are attached to what part of the microscope (it

can be rotated to click the lenses into place): 
                         _______________    ________________  

6.  You should always store your microscope with the

 ________________ objective in place. 

7.  A microscope has an ocular objective of 10x and a high

power objective of 50x.  What is this microscope's total
magnification?  ____________