A microscope is a tool that magnifies tiny objects and living organisms so they can be seen more clearly. It has magnifying power that makes things look bigger and resolving power that allows it to distinguish small gaps. A light microscope uses light to illuminate the object being observed. The main parts of a microscope include the arm, base, eyepiece, body tube, coarse and fine adjustment knobs, light source, diaphragm, stage and clips, objective lenses, revolving nosepiece, and inclination joint. When using a microscope, one should always start with the low power objective, use the coarse focus carefully, and never use it at higher magnifications.

1. Microscopy
What is a microscope?

2. Microscope
 Microscope is a tool
which can help you see
tiny objects and living
organisms. It makes them
look bigger.
 This ability of the
microscope is called its
magnifying power or
magnification.

3. Microscope
 The microscope also has the capacity to distinguish
small gaps between two separate points which
humans cannot distinguish. It is called its resolving
power or resolution.

4. Light microscope
 Light microscope uses diffused light from the sun or
artificial light to illuminate the object to be observed.

5. Microscopy
What are the parts of the microscope?

6. 1. Arm
 Supports the body tube.

7. 2. Base
 Supports and stabilizes the
microscope.

8. 3. Eyepiece / ocular lens
 Magnifies image produced
by objective lens.

9. 4. Body Tube
 Maintains the proper
distance between the
objective and ocular
lenses.

10.  Moves stage up and down
a large amount for
FOCUSING.
5. Coarse adjustment knob

11.  Moves stage up and down
a tiny amount to
SHARPEN the image.
6. Fine adjustment knob

12. 7. Light source
 (lamp or mirror) Provides
light for viewing the slide.
 Projects light UPWARDS
through the diaphragm,
the SPECIMEN, and
the LENSES.

13. 8. Diaphragm
 Controls the amount of
light passing through
the slide.

14.  Stage clips
- hold the slide in place.
 Stage
- Supports the slide
being viewed.
9. Stage and stage clips

15. 10. Objective lenses
 Focus and magnify
light coming through the
slide.

16.  Rotates to allow use of
different power objectives.
11. Revolving nosepiece

17.  Supports the arm and
controls the body of the
microscope.
12. Inclination joint

18. Basic Microscope Technique
Rules to Follow
1. If you must carry a microscope, always hold it with one
hand on the arm and the other under the base.
2. Always lower the stage or raise the objectives all the way
before placing a slide under the objectives.
3. Always begin working with the LOW POWER (shortest)
objective first.
4. Observe the slide from the side, not looking through the
eye piece, when using the coarse focus to avoid running
the objective lens into the slide.
5. Never use the coarse focus adjustment when on the
medium or high power objectives. Focus on low power
first and then rotate the higher power objective into place.
Make final focus adjustments with the fine focus
adjustment.

19. Answer Each Question
1. The lens closest to your eye when you use a
microscope is the __________.
2. When using the microscope, always begin work with
the __________ objective first.
3. Which knob should you never use while on medium
or high power? Explain why.
4. The lens closest to the slide is the ___________.
5. When using the coarse focus knob, how should you
be view the slide? Explain why.
6. Carry the microscope with one hand on the
________. and the other on the __________.

20. End of discussion