1. Parts of Microscopes 7th Grade Science Intro to Microscopes
In this activity 6th grade science student learn the “Basic Parts of the Microscope followed by another linked lesson on “How to Use the Microscope”.
OBJECTIVE: The student will learn the basic parts of the microscope. After completion of this lesson, students will link the another lesson on “Care of Use of the Microscope.”
7th Grade Science
Intro to Microscopes

2. Microscope One of the most important tools used to study living
things.
“Micro” means very small
“Scope” means to look at
Diagram of a typical student light microscope, showing the parts and the light path

3. Test Your Knowledge #1 The word “microscope” means: A. Glass eye
B. Small ~ to look at
C. To search for

4. You are Correct!
The word “microscope” means
VERY SMALL ~ TO LOOK AT

5. Oops! Micro means “very small” Scope means “to look at”
What do you think microphone might
mean?

6. Basic Microscope Parts
1. Base
Light source
Diaphragm
Stage
Stage clips
Low power
High power
Nosepiece
Arm
Fine Focus
Body Tube
Course Focus
Eyepiece

7. Guess What? We will now look at the 13 major parts of the
microscope and what their functions are that
enable us to see very small things.

8. Introducing the Arm and Base
Supports the body tube. Used to carry the microscope.
Base
Bottom part of the microscope often shaped like a horseshoe.

9. Click on the ARM

10. Click on the Base

11. Stage and Stage Clips Stage Place where the object
you are looking at is
placed (Specimen).
Stage Clips
Holds down the slide
on the stage.

12. Test your Knowledge #2 #1 Leg or Arm #2 Stage or Table
Can you name it?
Click on correct name
# Leg or Arm
# Stage or Table
# Base or Place

13. The ARM supports the BODY TUBE and is used to carry the microscope.
Great!!
The ARM supports the BODY TUBE and is used to carry the microscope.

14. Super!!! The STAGE is the name given to where you would
place the slide with the
object you wish to view
more closely.

15. Awesome !! You are right. The BASE is located at the
bottom and supports the microscope.

16. Oops! Let’s Try Again

17. Eyepiece (Ocular Lens) and Body Tube
The lens you look through that
magnifies the specimen.
Body Tube
The hollow tube through which
light passes. It holds the lenses
apart.

18. Click on the Eyepiece

19. Click on the Body Tube

20. Course and Fine Focus Course Focus Raises or lowers the Body
Tube to focus
Fine Focus
Raises and lowers the
Body Tube and used to
bring objects into focus.

21. Click on the Course and Fine Focus Knobs

22. Test your Knowledge #3 Click on correct name: Scope or Eyepiece
Body Tube or Pipe
Control or Fine Focus

23. Nice Job Wow! You are Correct!
The EYEPIECE OR OCULAR LENS is the lens that you look through that magnifies the specimen.

24. Wow You are Correct! The BODY TUBE is the hollow tube
through which light passes.

25. Yes!!! The Course/Fine Focus raises and lowers the
Body Tube. It is used to bring things into focus.

26. Oops!!
Try Again

27. Nosepiece The NOSEPIECE is the round part that holds the OBJECTIVE
LENSES apart.

28. Low Power/High Power Objective Lenses
Low Power Objective
Magnifies the specimen at a
lower power
High Power Objective
Higher power

29. Click on the Nosepiece

30. Click on the Objective Lenses

31. Diaphragm and Light Source
Changes the amount of light
reaching the objective lenses.
Located under the Stage.
Light Source
Located beneath the Stage
and Diaphragm. Sends light
towards the hole in the stage.

32. Click on the Diaphragm

33. Click on the Light Source

34. Click on the correct part
Test Your Knowledge #4
Can you name it?
Click on the correct part
4. Ears or Nosepiece
5. Objective or Scope
Lens
6. Diaphragm or Throat

35. Super Dooper
The NOSEPIECE hold the OBJECTIVE LENSES apart.

36. Doing Great The microscope has several OBJECTIVE
LENSES. Each lens has a different
magnification power.

37. Correct Again The DIAPHRAGM regulates the amount
of light that reaches the
objective lens.
It is located at the bottom
of the microscope.

38. Try Again
Check the diagram
                                  

39. Great Job! Well Done Now that we have learned the parts let’s
see how we can use
the microscope.

40. Using the Microscope in 10 Steps
Follow these instructions when using the
microscope. Click on each underlined word.
To carry the microscope, grasp the
ARM with one hand. Hold the BASE with your other hand.

41. 10 Steps to Using the Microscope 2. Adjust the DIAPHRAGM while looking
through the EYEPIECE.
3. Adjust the LIGHT SOURCE (mirror) until you see the circle of light.

42. 10 Steps to Using the Microscope 4. Place the slide on the STAGE.
5. Center the SPECIMEN over the small
opening on the STAGE.
6. Secure the slide with the STAGE CLIPS.

43. 10 Steps to Using the Microscope
7. While looking at the STAGE from the side,
turn the COURSE FOCUS KNOB to lower
the BODY TUBE until the LOW POWER
OBJECTIVE almost touches the slide.

44. 10 Steps to Using the Microscope
8. While looking through the EYEPIECE, carefully
move the COURSE FOCUS KNOB until the specimen comes into view.
9. To switch to the HIGH POWER OBJECTIVE
LENS, look at the microscope from the side.

45. 10 Steps to Using the Microscope
10. Move the NOSEPIECE until the HIGH POWER
OBJECTIVE LENS “clicks” into place. If the
lens hits the slide, the slide and/or lens might
break.
Turn the FINE FOCUS KNOB until the
specimen comes into focus.

46. Specimen

47. EYEPIECE

48. EYEPIECE

49. BODY TUBE

50. ARM

51. STAGE CLIPS

52. COURSE FOCUS

53. COURSE FOCUS

54. BASE

55. NOSEPIECE

56. HIGH POWER OBJECTIVE LENS

57. HIGH POWER OBJECTIVE LENS

58. LOW POWER OBJECTIVE LENS

59. STAGE

60. STAGE

61. DIAPHRAGM

62. LIGHT SOURCE

63. FINE FOCUS KNOB

64. Microscope Examples

65. Interesting Things to See Using Microscopes
Onion Skin Cheek Cell
Red Blood Cells Skin Cell

66. Interesting Fact This is an antique German microscope
made in the mid 1920’s.

67. Antique Microscope Web Site
Here is an
interesting web site on
antique microscopes.
This image was obtained from the Molecular Expressions website.

68. Additional Reading There are many interesting resources for you to
research on this topic.
Here are just a few books.

69. Certificate of Completion. You did a really great job!
Congratulations!!
Certificate of Completion. You did a really great job!
For cool information on How a Microscope Works go to: