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The Microscope
Microscope – an instrument used to magnify the cells of microorganisms.

Parts of a Microscope:

A. Optical System –
1. Eye piece - short cylinder containing lenses (ocular lens) and fitting into
the top of the draw tube.
2. Draw tube – long telescoping tube located above the stage; connects the
two lens system of the microscope
3. Objectives – lens containing cylinders (usually 3or 4), set in a resolvable
nose piece at the bottom of the draw tube.
 Low power objective – 10x10 or 100x magnifying power
 High power objective – 10x40 0r 400x magnifying power
 Oil immersion objective – focuses so close to the slide and uses a
drop of oil or water instead of a cover slip. – total magnification of
1,000x
4. Revolving nose piece – holds the objectives at the bottom of the draw
tube.

B. Supporting stand
1. Base – lowermost portion which rest on the table; solid and stable
foundation.
2. Arm – part extending up from the base.
3. Mechanical stage – platform with an opening over which the slide will be
placed for examination.
4. Stage clips – metal braces on top of stage for holding the slide.
5. Slide movement control – a mechanical system that allows slow motion
and systematic examination of the slide.
6. Condenser and Iris diaphragm – located directly under the stage; used to
focus and regulate the amount and form of light reaching the slide from
the light source.
7. Mirror – located beneath the condenser. Reflects the light from the
source into the condenser.
8. Coarse adjustment / focusing knobs – uppermost larger knobs used to
raise and lower optical system in preparation for focusing.
9. Fine adjustment/ focusing knobs – smaller knob used for focusing.
10. Micrometer – a stage measuring device used to calculate the size of
microorganisms. Used to measure the length and the width of microbe on
the specimen slide.
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Light Microscope- a compound bright field microscope with 2

lenses and a visible light source that passes through the
specimen and lenses to the observer’s eye. (hence termed
bright field)
- eye piece contains ocular lens; can magnify 40 – 1,200 X
How to determine total magnification of a compound
microscope:
Multiply magnifying power of ocular lens (usually 10X)
by the magnifying power of the objective lens usually, 10, 40,
100X.

Electron Microscope - uses an electron beam instead of

visible light and magnetic instead of lenses to focus the
beam. The electron passes through the dry specimens which
is mounted in wax or plastic and image is seen on
fluorescent screen. The picture may be photographed and
enlarged to magnify the object several hundred thousand
times, much more than the light microscope.

UV microscope – used in immunology laboratory to show

that antibodies stained with a fluorescent dye will combine
with the specific antigens or bacteria.
(fluorescent antibody technique)
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https://www.cliffsnotes.com/study-guides/biology/microbiology/introduction-to-
microbiology/a-brief-history-of-microbiology
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HB Gumba 2021