Microscopy

What is a microscope?

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.

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.

Light microscope Light microscope uses diffused light from the

sun or artificial light to illuminate the object to be observed.

Microscopy

What are the parts of the microscope?

1. Arm Supports the body tube.

2. Base Supports and stabilizes the

microscope.

3. Eyepiece / ocular lens Magnifies image produced

by objective lens.

4. Body Tube Maintains the proper

distance between theobjective and ocularlenses.

Moves stage up and downa large amount for FOCUSING.

5. Coarse adjustment knob

Moves stage up and downa tiny amount to SHARPEN the image.

6. Fine adjustment knob

7. Light source (lamp or mirror) Provides

light for viewing the slide. Projects light UPWARDS

through the diaphragm,the SPECIMEN, and the LENSES.

8. Diaphragm Controls the amount of

light passing through the slide.

Stage clips - hold the slide in place.

Stage- Supports the slidebeing viewed.

9. Stage and stage clips

10. Objective lenses Focus and magnify

light coming through theslide.

Rotates to allow use ofdifferent power objectives.

11. Revolving nosepiece

Supports the arm and controls the body of the microscope.

12. Inclination joint

Basic Microscope TechniqueRules 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.

Answer Each Question1. 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 __________.

End of discussion