THE MICROSCOPE PARTS AND FUNCTIONS

WHAT IS A MICROSCOPE? A microscope is a tool used by biologists to magnify and observe very small structures. Microscopes use lenses to magnify objects

Types of Microscopes In a light microscope, light passes through the object being looked at. A stereomicroscope is used for viewing large objects, such as insects, through which light cannot pass.

Electron Microscopes Electron microscopes use a beam of electrons to magnify objects more than 500,000 times.

Transmission electron microscopes: shows internal details of a specimen

Scanning electron microscopes: show the surfaces of a specimen in 3 dimensions.

Parts of the Microscope

Parts of the Microscope A. Eyepiece (or Ocular lens): Contains a 10X lens. What you look through. B. The body tube goes from the eyepiece to the lenses.

C. Arm: Connects the base and the upper part of the microscope C. Arm: Connects the base and the upper part of the microscope. Always grasp this and the base when carrying the microscope D. nosepiece: Part that contains the lenses

(look at the lens and check!) E. The low power (10X) objective lens. Used to magnify the image. F. High power objective lens. The magnification is 40 or 43X. (look at the lens and check!)

G. Course adjustment: Used to focus the image under low power. H. Fine adjustment: used to focus the image under high power.

I. Stage:. Where you place the slide or specimen I. Stage: Where you place the slide or specimen. There is an opening for light to pass through to the eyepiece. J. Stage clips: Hold the slide containing the specimen on the stage.

K. Diaphragm. Used to adjust the amount of light going through the specimen. L. Light source. A lamp or mirror is used to direct light from the base through the hole in the stage and through the specimen.

M. Base: The bottom support of the microscope M. Base: The bottom support of the microscope. Always hold this when carrying the microscope.

HOW DO YOU DETERMINE THE TOTAL MAGNIFICATION OF THE SPECIMNEN?

TO DETERMINE TOTAL MAGNIFICATION MULTIPLY THE MAGNIFICATION OF THE EYEPIECE (OCULAR) TIMES THE OBJECTIVE lens.

Total magnification using the low power: 10 x 10 = 100x Total magnification under high power: 10 x 43 = 430x

USING THE MICROSCOPE IS AS EASY AS 1, 2, 3 1. CENTER THE SLIDE ON THE STAGE AND USE THE SCANNING LENS (4X) TO LOCATE THE SPECIMEN THROUGH THE EYEPIECE. FOCUS USING THE COURSE ADJUSTMENT

2. SWITCH THE OBJECTIVE TO LOW POWER AND FOCUS USING THE COURSE ADJUSTMENT 3. SWITCH THE OBJECTIVE TO HIGH POWER AND FOCUS USING THE FINE ADJUSTMENT.