University of Luzon

College of Criminology

Experiment No. 1
The Compound Microscope

OBJECTIVES: To know the general parts and the correct techniques of using the microscope.
To learn how to compute the magnifying capacity of the microscope.
MATERIALS: Microscope, glass slide and cover slip.
OBSERVATION: Draw and label this parts of the microscope.

The parts of the microscope

Get the microscope assigned to your group and study its parts. Give
the functions of each part.
University of Luzon
College of Criminology

A. Mechanical Parts

1. Base - it provides support for the microscope.

2. Stage - is where the specimen to be viewed is placed.

3. Stage clip - it holds the glass slide in place.

5. Draw tube - is a tube that slides while inside another tube.

4. Body tube - connects the ocular lens / eyepiece and the objective lenses.

6. Fine Adjustment Knob (FAK) - it brings the specimen into sharp focus.

7. Coarse Adjustment knob (CAK) - it brings the object into approximate focus by raising and
lowering the stage.

8. Arm - connects the body tube to the base.

9. Inclination Joint - where the microscope arm connects to the microscope base.

B. Optical parts

1. Eyepiece or Ocular - what you look through at the top of the microscope.

2. Low Power Objective - gives the lowest magnification, usually 10x.

3. High Power Objective - gives higher magnification usually 40x or 43x.

4. Oil Immersion Objective – gives the highest magnification, usually 97x or 100x, and is used
wet either with cedar wood oil or synthetic oil.

C. Illuminating parts

1. Mirror - it is used to reflect light to the specimen / source of light.

2. Condenser - concentrates light into a beam.

3. Iris diaphragm - adjust the amount of light reaching the specimen.

Use of the Microscope

University of Luzon
College of Criminology

Describe briefly the proper way of using the microscope

1. When moving your microscope , always carry it with both hands.

2. Grasp the arm with one hand and place the other hand under the base for support.

3. Turn the revolving nosepiece so that the lowest power objective lens is “clicked” into
position.

4. Place the microscope slide on the STAGE and faster it with the stage clips.

5. Use the coarse adjustment to lower the objective.

6. Look at the slide and lens from the slide when doing this.

7. Look through the eyepiece and ADJUST the light source and diaphragm for the best amount
of light.

8. Slowly turn the coarse adjustment so that the objective lens MOVES away from the slide.

9. Continuous until the image comes into focus.

10. Use the fine adjustment , if available, for fine focusing.

When YOU are finished :

• remove slide
• return to low power
• roll up the CORD
• replace the dust cover
Care of the Microscope

Give some precautionary measures / care in the use of microscope.

1. Clean the microscope after each use.

2. Clean smudged lenses with lens paper, and avoid applying pressure with a cloth as the
lenses are very fragile.

3. Wipe the stage ( the platform that holds the slides ) down thoroughly and disinfect the
eyepiece with an alcohol-based wipe.

4. Handle glass slide carefully.

5. Turn off the light source when the microscope is not in use, this will improve lamp longevity
and save energy.

6. Be aware if your microscope has a mercury lamp.

University of Luzon
College of Criminology

CONCLUSION:

1. What is the importance of the microscope?

MICROSCOPES it helps me / us as a student of criminology, because we have a subject

“FORENSIC CHEMISTRY AND TOXICOLOGY” to have an experience or to observe and
experiment, especially by knowing the smallest objects that we never see before.

2. What parts of the microscope are responsible for magnifying images?

 The objective and ocular lenses are responsible for magnifying the image of
the specimen being viewed.

What is MAGNIFICATION?

 It is refers to the amount or degree of visual enlargement of an observed

object.

3. What kind of objective should be use in studying ?

The objective should be use are the most common being 4x, 10x, 40x, and 100x, also
known as scanning, low power, high power, and (typically) oil immersion objectives,
respectively.

a. Whole section of a specimen.

In microscopy, the objective lenses are the optical elements closest to the specimen. The
objective lens gathers light from the specimen, which is focused to produce the real image that
is seen on the ocular lens.

b. A portion of the specimen.

Objective lenses are the most complex part of the microscope due to their multi-element design.
It is this complexity that makes the objectives the most important components of the device.

4. What should be done in the following situation?

a. A microscope has a missing part.

Under no circumstances should you remove any part of the microscope or attempt

repairs. If you have any difficulty operating your microscope, ask your instructor for
assistance. If your microscope has missing, damaged or malfunctioning parts, report these to
your instructor immediately.

b. A microscope has a dirty lenses.

If the grime is still there, you will need to use a solvent. When using solvents, put a drop or

two on the paper then hold it against the lens for a few seconds to dissolve the crud. Then
lightly wipe it free. Distilled water is the first solvent recommened.
University of Luzon
College of Criminology