1. The Microscope

2. Microscopes
Zacharias Janssen, Robert Hooke and Anton von Leeuwenhoek all contributed to the design of the compound light microscope
With the invention of the microscope came many ground breaking discoveries about how life looked on a cellular level
Things that were “invisible” are now visible!

3. How a Microscope Works
Microscopes use convex lenses are made of curved glass (and glasses etc.)
Convex Lenses bend
light and focus it in
one spot.

4. How a Microscope Works Ocular Lens (Magnifies Image) Objective Lens
(Gathers Light,
Magnifies
And Focuses Image
Inside Body Tube)
Body Tube
(Image Focuses)

5. The Parts of a Microscope

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

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

8. Nose Piece
The revolving nose piece holds the objective lenses and can be turned to increase the magnification
Diagram

9. Objective Lenses
The Objective Lenses increase magnification (low is 4x, Medium is 10x and High is 40x)
Diagram

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

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

12. Light Source
Projects light upwards through the diaphragm, the specimen and the lenses
Diagram

13. Ocular Lens/Eyepiece Magnifies the specimen image
Has a magnification of 10x
Diagram

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

15. Stage
Supports the slide/specimen
Diagram

16. Coarse Adjustment Knob
Large knob that moves the stage up and down (visibly) for focusing your image
Diagram

17. Fine Adjustment Knob
smaller knob moves the stage SLIGHTLY to sharpen the image
Diagram

18. Base
Supports the microscope
Diagram

19. Magnification

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

21. Caring for a Microscope
Clean only with a soft cloth/tissue or lens paper
Make sure it’s on a flat surface
Don’t hit it against anything or anyone
Carry it with 2 HANDS…one on the arm and the other under the base

22. Using a Microscope First KNOW WHAT YOU SHOULD BE LOOKING AT or FOR!!!
Start on the lowest magnification (Low Objective)
Place slide on stage and lock clips
Adjust the COARSE knob first!
Adjust light source if necessary
Use fine adjustment to focus or sharpen the image

23. Using a Microscope
DO NOT use the coarse adjustment knob on high magnification…you’ll break the slide!!!
Only use the FINE ADJUSTMENT knob on High power
When in doubt, and you can’t seem to focus on Medium or High, ALWAYS go back to LOW power

24. References http://www.cerebromente.org.br/n17/history/neurons1_i.htm
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