1. Compound Microscopes and Lab Techniques
Jessica Tautfest
Simplify

2. Compound Light Microscope
Compound – more than one lens
Light – method by which the images travel to your eye
Microscope – “micro” means small and “Scope” means view
Compound light microscopes are used to view small objects, such as cell structures, through the use of high magnification lenses and light

4. Parts of a Microscope Head – has the optical lenses of the microscope
Base – support of the microscope, has the illuminator
Arm – connects the base to the head, used to carry the microscope
Eyepiece or Ocular – What you look through, magnifies by the power of 10X
Objective Lenses - range from 4x-100x, magnifies objects
Nose piece - has the objective lenses. The objectives are on a rotating piece for different selections.
(Microscope.com, 2014.)

5. Parts of a microscope
Coarse and Fine Focus knobs - are used to focus the microscope. Large movement vs. small movement.
Stage – where the specimen sits to be viewed. Where the action happens!
Stage Clips – used to keep the slide in place on the stage.
Aperture – the opening in the stage where light comes through.
Illuminator - the light source for a microscope.
Diaphragm - controls the amount (focus and quantity) of light reaching the specimen.
(Microscope.com, 2014.)

6. (Microscope.com, 2014.)

7. Magnification
Start from lowest Magnification and work your way to the higher levels
Move using nosepiece, not objective lens
Total Magnification
Ocular Lens – 10x
Multiply by objective to get total magnification
Ex. (10X) (4x) = 40 X Total Magnification

8. Wet Mount
Place a small drop of sample fluid (containing specimen) in the center of the microscope slide.
Hold the cover glass on one side with the help of tweezers. Lower the cover glass onto the water drop at an angle.
Slowly lower the cover glass onto the liquid. This will minimize producing air bubbles.
Removes excess water with filter paper or tissue paper.
(Techwalla, 2017.)

9. Proper Labeling Checklist Title Circle containing specimen
Labels (horizontal lines extending)
Magnification
Color (when necessary)
Be neat!!

10. Dress Code Transporting Handling Hair tied back Closed toed shoes
Legs covered
Transporting
Pick the microscope up by the handle and
place the other hand under the base.
Close to the Body
Handling
Do not drag
Do not touch the lenses

11. Protist Post Lab Questions
What is meant by a compound light microscope?
Calculate the total magnification of all five drawings and write it underneath the drawing in your notebook.
What happens to the field of view as the total magnification of the microscope increases?

12. References
Microscope.com. (2014). Compound Microscope Parts. Retrieved from microscope-parts/#gref
Techwalla. (2017.) How to make a wet mount microscope slide. Retrieved from microscope-parts/#gref