Notes on Microscope and Its Parts

Introduction to Microscopes

• Tool used to see organisms or objects that are too small to be seen by the naked eye.
• Allows a better understanding of life.
• Microscopy: The science of investigating very tiny organisms and small objects using a microscope.

Importance of Microscopes

• Enables scientists to study various tiny objects such as:
  • Plant cells
  • Animal cells
  • Microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, viruses like coronavirus)

Key Terms

• Magnification: Describes how much larger an object appears when viewed.
  • Example: Onion cell structure can be magnified for better visibility.
• Resolution: The capacity to distinguish small gaps between two separate points.
  • Higher resolution allows for viewing finer details of specimens.

Types of Microscopes

• Focus on Compound Microscope:
  • An optical microscope using visible light to form images.
  • Uses two or more double convex lenses to magnify objects.

Parts of a Compound Microscope

1. Magnifying Parts

• Eyepiece (Ocular Lens):
  • Located at the top of the microscope.
  • Magnification: 10 times.
• Objective Lenses:
  • Low Power Objective: Magnification of 10x; views general outline.
  • High Power Objective: Magnification of 40x; views larger structures.
  • Oil Immersion Objective: Magnification of 100x; views small organisms, requires special oil.

2. Illuminating Parts

• Mirror:
  • Reflects light from an external source to illuminate the specimen.
• Iris Diaphragm:
  • Controls the amount of light reaching the specimen.
• Condenser:
  • Collects and focuses light from the mirror to the specimen.

3. Mechanical Parts

• Body Tube (Draw Tube):
  • Holds eyepiece and connects to objective lenses.
• Revolving Nosepiece:
  • Holds different objective lenses; allows lens changes.
• Adjusting Knobs:
  • Coarse Adjustment Knob: Moves body tube and low-power lenses; used only with low power.
  • Fine Adjustment Knob: Brings specimen into sharp focus; used with low and high power.
• Stage:
  • Flat surface for mounting specimen slides; has stage clips to hold slides in place.
• Arm and Base:
  • Base supports the entire microscope; Arm acts as a handle for carrying.
  • Connected by an inclination joint for tilting the microscope for comfortable viewing.

Conclusion

• Microscopes are essential tools in science for viewing tiny objects.
• Understanding the parts of a microscope enhances the ability to use the tool effectively.
• After studying, labeling the parts of a microscope can test understanding.