1. Parts of a Compound Light Microscope

2. Definition of a microscope
An instrument that magnifies very tiny things in order to make them appear larger

3. Arm Base Used to support the microscope when it is carried
The bottom part that supports the whole microscope

4. Body tube
Cylinder that separates the eyepiece from the nosepiece – light passes through it so you can see the specimen

5. Coarse adjustment knob
The bigger knob that moves the stage up and down – you turn this knob first to focus your specimen

6. Fine adjustment knob
The smaller knob that is used to sharpen the image of your specimen – turn this knob second after using the coarse adjustment knob

7. diaphragm
The numbered dial found under the stage that regulates the amount of light that goes through the stage to the specimen

8. eyepiece
Where you put your eye to see the specimen – it contains the ocular lens

9. Light source
Turns on to send light through the diaphragm and through the specimen

10. Objective lenses magnifies the specimen Low power is 4X
Medium power is 10X
High power is 40X

11. nosepiece
Holds the three objective lenses – it rotates so you can change the magnification from low to medium to high power

12. stage
The black square that supports the slide being viewed – the hole in the middle lets the light through

13. Two silver clips attached to the stage that hold the slide in place
Stage clips
Two silver clips attached to the stage that hold the slide in place

14. Field of view
The circle of light you see when you look in the eyepiece – this is where you see your specimen

15. pointer
A black line you can see in the field of view which helps to point out specific parts of your specimen

16. slide
rectangular glass piece where you put your specimen so then it can be viewed under the microscope

17. The plastic square piece you put on the top of your specimen
coverslip
The plastic square piece you put on the top of your specimen