The document provides an overview of the history and components of microscopes. It discusses how the microscope was developed over time starting in the 1500s and improvements made by early scientists. The key parts of a microscope are described including the objective lenses, ocular lens, stage, light source, and adjustments for focusing. Magnification is explained as the product of the objective and ocular lenses. Basic care and use of microscopes is also covered.

1. THE
MICROSCOPE

3. The History
• Many people experimented with making
microscopes
• Was the microscope originally made by
accident? (Most people were creating
telescopes)
• The first microscope was 6 feet long!!!
• The Greeks & Romans used “lenses” to
magnify objects over 1000 years ago.

4. The History
• Hans and Zacharias Janssen of Holland
in the 1590’s created the “first”
compound microscope
• Anthony van Leeuwenhoek and Robert
Hooke made improvements by working
on the lenses
Anthony van Leeuwenhoek
1632-1723
Robert Hooke
1635-1703
Hooke Microscope

5. THE HISTORY
Zacharias Jansen
1588-1631
The “First” Microscope

6. How a Microscope Works
Convex Lenses are
curved glass used to
make microscopes
(and glasses etc.)
Convex Lenses bend
light and focus it in
one spot.

7. How a Microscope Works
Ocular Lens
(Magnifies Image)
Objective Lens
(Gathers Light,
Magnifies
And Focuses Image
Inside Body Tube)
Body Tube
(Image Focuses)
•Bending Light: The objective (bottom) convex lens
magnifies and focuses (bends) the image inside the
body tube and the ocular convex (top) lens of a
microscope magnifies it (again).

8. THE PARTS OF A
MICROSCOPE

9. Body Tube
Nose Piece
Objective
Lenses
Stage
Clips
Diaphragm
Light Source
Ocular Lens
Arm
Stage
Coarse Adj.
Fine Adjustment
Base
Skip to Magnification Section

10. Body Tube
• The body tube holds the objective
lenses and the ocular lens at the proper
distance
Diagram

11. Nose Piece
• The Nose Piece holds the objective
lenses and can be turned to increase
the magnification
Diagram

12. Objective Lenses
• The Objective Lenses increase
magnification (usually from 10x to 40x)
Diagram

13. Stage Clips
• These 2 clips hold the slide/specimen in
place on the stage.
Diagram

14. Diaphragm
• The Diaphragm controls the amount of
light on the slide/specimen
Turn to let more light in or to
make dimmer.
Diagram

15. Light Source
• Projects light upwards through the
diaphragm, the specimen and the
lenses
• Some have lights, others have mirrors
where you must move the mirror to
reflect light
Diagram

16. Ocular Lens/Eyepiece
• Magnifies the specimen image
Diagram

17. Arm
• Used to support the microscope when
carried. Holds the body tube, nose
piece and objective lenses
Diagram

18. Stage
• Supports the slide/specimen
Diagram

19. Coarse Adjustment Knob
• Moves the stage up and down (quickly)
for focusing your image
Diagram

20. Fine Adjustment Knob
• This knob moves the stage SLIGHTLY
to sharpen the image
Diagram

21. Base
• Supports the microscope
Diagram

22. MAGNIFICATION
4x, 10x, 40x, and 100x, also known as scanning, low power, high
power, and(typically) oil immersion objectives, respectively.

23. Magnification
• To determine your magnification…you
just multiply the ocular lens by the
objective lens
• Ocular 10x Objective 40x:10 x 40 = 400
So the object is 400 times “larger”
Objective Lens have
their magnification
written on them.
Ocular lenses usually magnifies by 10x

24. Caring for a Microscope
• Clean only with a soft cloth/tissue
• Make sure it’s on a flat surface
• Don’t bang it
• Carry it with 2 HANDS…one on the arm
and the other on the base

25. CARRY A MICROSCOPE
CORRECTLY

26. Using a Microscope
• Start on the lowest magnification
• Don’t use the coarse adjustment knob
on high magnification…you’ll break the
slide!!!
• Place slide on stage and lock clips
• Adjust light source (if it’s a mirror…don’t
stand in front of it!)
• Use fine adjustment to focus

27. FLOURESCENCE
MICROSCOPE
an optical microscope that
uses fluorescence and phosphorescence instead
of, or in addition to, reflection and absorption to
study properties of organic
or inorganic substances

29. POCKET MICROSCOPE
Hand-held microscopes used in
banks to inspect money and by
jewelers for inspecting stones and
pieces of jewelry.

31. DISSECTING MICROSCOPE
Consist of two eyeholes that allow to
views and help see all the angles of the
specimen which is a feature useful in the
dissection of a specimen.