Introduction to the Microscope Lab

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• Introduction to the Microscope Lab

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Common Microscope Types
Compound Monocular
Dissecting
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Microscope Type Uses

• Compound Light
• Used to examine materials mounted on microscope
  slides (usually sectioned stained)
• Generally provides total magnification from 40X
  to 1000X
• Does not provide space for dissection of
  materials being examined.

• Dissection
• Used to examine thick materials on microscope
  slides whole specimens living or preserved
• Generally provides total magnification from 10X
  to 45X
• Provides space between stage objectives for
  dissection.

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Compound Light Microscope Parts Functions

• Eyepiece
• The part of the microscope you look into
• Magnifies material being viewed by 10X
• Sometimes contains a pointer that can be seen as
  you look into the eyepiece.
• Also be called the ocular.

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Microscope Parts Functions

• Nose piece
• Part of microscope to which the objectives are
  attached
• Rotates to allow for the changing of objectives
  to increase or decrease magnification.

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Microscope Parts Functions

• Arm
• Where the nosepiece is attached
• Hold the microscope by this when carrying.
• Always use both hands!

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Microscope Parts Functions

• Objectives
• Magnify material being examined
• Scanning objective
• magnifies 4X
• (40x)
• Medium Objective.
• magnifies 10X (100X)
• High Powered Obj.
• magnifies 40X (400x)

Total magnification Eyepiece Mag. X Objective
Mag.
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Microscope Parts Functions

• Stage
• Platform on which microscope slide rests

• Stage clips
• Secures slide to the mechanical stage
• Be careful if allowed to snap down, they break
  slides!

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Microscope Parts Functions

• Coarse adjustment knob
• Coarse focusing
• Used to find specimen, but with less detail.

• Fine adjustment knob
• Precise focusing
• Small turns make big changes.

Remember Specimens are 3-Dimensional and
focusing adjusts the level you look at.
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Microscope Parts Functions

• Diaphragm
• regulates the amount of light passing through the
  specimen
• When viewing translucent specimens, use small
  opening.
• When viewing opaque specimens us large opening.

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Microscope Parts Functions

• Illuminator
• Light source
• On/Off switch is on base

• Base
• provides support for microscope

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Microscope Storage
Always with one hand on the arm one on the base.
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Preparation for Storage

• Make sure no slides are on the stage

• Lower stage for maximum distance between
  objective stage

• Wrap cord around base (clockwise)

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Preparation for Use

• Transport microscope to work station

• Plug in microscope

• Inspect and clean microscope

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References

• Robert F. Allen, Professor of Biology
• Introduction to the Microscope Lab