An Introduction Microscopy

Microscopy 1b. Given the appropriate supplies, and equipment, apply the basic principles of microscopy to properly focus a microscope with no more than three instructor assists. (1) Components of a Compound Microscope (2) Types of Microscopes (3) Care of the Microscope (4) Operation (5) ORM Group Discussion

Oculars Two that magnify the image 5x or 10x May contain ocular micrometer Microscopic ruler used to measure objects Calibrated using a stage micrometer etched into a glass slide

Objectives Main magnifiers that capture primary image Located on spring mounted revolving nosepiece Named depending on power and function

Scanning 4x/5x power Not used in hemotology Objectives Scanning 4x/5x power Not used in hemotology

For initial focusing and some cell counts Objectives Low power 10x power For initial focusing and some cell counts

High dry 40x to 45x power Used for some cell counts Objectives High dry 40x to 45x power Used for some cell counts

Oil immersion Objectives 100x power (may have a black ring) Special immersion oil is used between slide and objective Better resolving power at higher magnification Used with fixed and stained slides

Body Contains lens system Oculars at top Objectives at bottom Interpupillary distance control Adjusts distance between oculars Allows viewer to see one field of view

Arm Connects the base to body Holds stage and its components Used to carry the microscope Houses the coarse and fine focus knobs Coarse – used to locate initial image Fine – used to obtain optimum resolution

Stage Movable platform used to hold slide and bring item of interest into field of view Two control knobs Side-to-side movement Front-to-back movement Stage clips hold slide in place Light condenser attached to the underside of the stage

Base Contains the transformer which converts electrical power from AC to DC to provide power to illuminator Houses illuminator (light source) Control switch is located on the base On/off style Variable intensity

Condenser Converges (bends) light into a beam by use of a convex lens Condenser control knob moves it up and down

Iris diaphragm Attached to underside of condenser Multi-leafed circular opening used to control the amount of light transmitted to condenser Adjusted by lever or dial on condenser

Types of microscopes Phase Contrast Epifluorescence Electron Darkfield Polarized

Care of Microscope Storage Dust and lint Oculars and objectives Mirror/Illuminator/Condenser

Operation Plug in and turn on Lower stage to lowest position Place slide into stage clip Place on low power objective (10x) Open iris diaphragm half-way Place condenser in lowest position Focus using coarse focus knob Adjust light and fine focus Adjust interpupillary distance

Operation Rotate nosepiece until high dry objective clicks in to place and focus using fine focus Switch between high dry and oil immersion objective Place immersion oil on slide Rotate the nosepiece until oil immersion objective clicks into place Use fine focus knob to adjust to optimum resolution

Microscopy 1b. Given the appropriate supplies, and equipment, apply the basic principles of microscopy to properly focus a microscope with no more than three instructor assists. (1) Components of a Compound Microscope (2) Types of Microscopes (3) Care of the Microscope (4) Operation (5) ORM Group Discussion This project was funded at $3,000,000 (100% of its total cost) from a grant awarded under the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Grants, as implemented by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. Rogue Community College is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services, alternate form and language services are available to individuals with disabilities and limited English proficiency free of cost upon request.   This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.