Parts of Microscopes 6 th Grade Science Intro to Microscopes Barbara Bloemers
Michigan Benchmarks Or Why Do I Have to Know This?
Microscope One of the most important tools used to study living things. “Micro” means very small “Scope” means to look at Diagram of a typical student light microscope, showing the parts and the light path
Test Your Knowledge #1 The word “microscope” means: A. Glass eye B. Small ~ to look at C. To search for
You are Correct! The word “microscope” means VERY SMALL ~ TO LOOK AT
Oops! Micro means “very small” Scope means “to look at” What do you think microphone might mean?
Basic Microscope Parts 1.Base 2. Light source 3. Diaphragm 4. Stage 5. Stage clips 6. Low power 7. High power 8. Nosepiece 9. Arm 10. Fine Focus 11. Body Tube 12. Course Focus 13. Eyepiece
Guess What? We will now look at the 13 major parts of the microscope and what their functions are that enable us to see very small things.
Introducing the Arm and Base Arm Supports the body tube. Used to carry the microscope. Base Bottom part of the microscope often shaped like a horseshoe.
Click on the ARM
Click on the Base
Stage and Stage Clips Stage Place where the object you are looking at is placed (Specimen). Stage Clips Holds down the slide on the stage.
Test your Knowledge #2 #1 Leg or Arm #2 Stage or Table #3 Base or Place Can you name it? Click on correct name
Great!! The ARM supports the BODY TUBE and is used to carry the microscope.
Super!!! The STAGE is the name given to where you would place the slide with the object you wish to view more closely.
Awesome !! You are right. The BASE is located at the bottom and supports the microscope.
Oops! Let’s Try Again
Eyepiece (Ocular Lens) and Body Tube Eyepiece The lens you look through that magnifies the specimen. Body Tube The hollow tube through which light passes. It holds the lenses apart.
Click on the Eyepiece
Click on the Body Tube
Course and Fine Focus Course Focus Raises or lowers the Body Tube to focus Fine Focus Raises and lowers the Body Tube and used to bring objects into focus.
Click on the Course and Fine Focus Knobs
Test your Knowledge #3 Click on correct name: Scope or Eyepiece Body Tube or Pipe Control or Fine Focus
Nice Job Wow! You are Correct! The EYEPIECE OR OCULAR LENS is the lens that you look through that magnifies the specimen.
Wow You are Correct! The BODY TUBE is the hollow tube through which light passes.
Yes!!! The Course/Fine Focus raises and lowers the Body Tube. It is used to bring things into focus.
Oops!! Try Again
Nosepiece The NOSEPIECE is the round part that holds the OBJECTIVE LENSES apart.
Low Power/High Power Objective Lenses Low Power Objective Magnifies the specimen at a lower power High Power Objective Magnifies the specimen at a Higher power
Click on the Nosepiece
Click on the Objective Lenses
Diaphragm and Light Source Diaphragm Changes the amount of light reaching the objective lenses. Located under the Stage. Light Source Located beneath the Stage and Diaphragm. Sends light towards the hole in the stage.
Click on the Diaphragm
Click on the Light Source
Test Your Knowledge #4 4. Ears or Nosepiece 5. Objective or Scope Lens 6. Diaphragm or Throat Can you name it? Click on the correct part
Super Dooper The NOSEPIECE hold the OBJECTIVE LENSES apart.
Doing Great The microscope has several OBJECTIVE LENSES. Each lens has a different magnification power.
Correct Again The DIAPHRAGM regulates the amount of light that reaches the objective lens. It is located at the bottom of the microscope.
Try Again Check the diagram
Great Job! Well Done Now that we have learned the parts let’s see how we can use the microscope.
Follow these instructions when using the microscope. Click on each underlined word. 1. To carry the microscope, grasp the ARM with one hand. Hold the BASE with your other hand. Using the Microscope in 10 Steps
10 Steps to Using the Microscope 2. Adjust the DIAPHRAGM while looking through the EYEPIECE. 3. Adjust the LIGHT SOURCE (mirror) until you see the circle of light.
10 Steps to Using the Microscope 4. Place the slide on the STAGE. 5. Center the SPECIMEN over the small opening on the STAGE. 6. Secure the slide with the STAGE CLIPS.
10 Steps to Using the Microscope 7. While looking at the STAGE from the side, turn the COURSE FOCUS KNOB to lower the BODY TUBE until the LOW POWER OBJECTIVE almost touches the slide.
10 Steps to Using the Microscope 8. While looking through the EYEPIECE, carefully move the COURSE FOCUS KNOB until the specimen comes into view. 9. To switch to the HIGH POWER OBJECTIVE LENS, look at the microscope from the side.
10 Steps to Using the Microscope 10. Move the NOSEPIECE until the HIGH POWER OBJECTIVE LENS “clicks” into place. If the lens hits the slide, the slide and/or lens might break. Turn the FINE FOCUS KNOB until the specimen comes into focus.
Specimen
EYEPIECE
EYEPIECE
BODY TUBE
ARM
STAGE CLIPS
COURSE FOCUS
BASE
NOSEPIECE
HIGH POWER OBJECTIVE LENS
LOW POWER OBJECTIVE LENS
STAGE
STAGE
DIAPHRAGM
LIGHT SOURCE
FINE FOCUS KNOB
Microscope Examples
Interesting Things to See Using Microscopes Onion Skin Cheek Cell Red Blood Cells Skin Cell
Interesting Fact This is an antique German microscope made in the mid 1920’s.
Antique Microscope Web Site After completing assignment come back to link to an interesting web site on antique microscopes. 1.htm This image was obtained from the Molecular Expressions website.Molecular Expressions
Additional Reading There are many interesting resources for you to research on this topic. Here are just a few books.
Certificate of Completion. You did a really great job! Congratulations!! For cool information on How a Microscope Works go to: