FORENSIC CHEMISTRY AND TOXICOLOGY

NAME: CATHERINE M. DOMINGO DATE: SEPTEMBER 13, 2022

STUDENT NO.: 2020101489 SECTION: BSC3B

LABORATORY ACTIVITY #2
COMPOUND MICROSCOPE

In this activity, the students will know the parts of a compound microscope and its
functions.

Compound microscope is an optical instrument which is used to obtain high

magnification. It is an extension of the magnifying glass which are used to see very small
things.

I. Objective: To be able to know the parts of a compound microscope and its functions.

II. Materials: Compound microscope

III. Instruction: State the function of each part of a compound microscope.

Reference: Cejes and Libres-Etis (2014). Laboratory Manual for Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology First Edition. ChapterHouse
Publishing Incorporated, Novaliches, Quezon City.
https://personal.math.ubc.ca/~cass/courses/m309-03a/m309-projects/yeh/micro.htm
https://microscopeinternational.com/compound-microscope-parts/ Page 1 of 4
FORENSIC CHEMISTRY AND TOXICOLOGY

 Eyepiece (ocular lens) with or without Pointer: The eyepiece is the part of the
microscope that is looked through. It typically has a magnification between 5x and
30x.
 Monocular or Binocular Head: The structural support that holds the eyepieces and
attaches it to the objective lenses.
 Arm: Supports the microscope head and attaches it to the base.
 Nosepiece: Holds and secures the objective lenses to the microscope head. This
component rotates to adjust the active objective lens.
 Base: It is the bottom base of the microscope that houses the illumination and
supports the compound microscope.
 Objective lenses: A compound microscope typically has 3-5 optical lens objectives,
each with a distinct magnification level. The most frequent magnifying powers
utilized for the goals are 4x, 10x, 40x, and 100x. A compound microscope's total
magnification is computed by multiplying the objective lens magnification by the
eyepiece magnification level. As a result, a compound microscope with a 10x
eyepiece magnification and a 40x objective lens has a total magnification of 400x (10
x 40).
 Specimen or slide: The object used to hold the specimen in place along with slide
covers for viewing. Most slides and slide covers are thin glass rectangles.
 Stage or Platform: The platform upon which the specimen or slide are placed. The
height of the mechanical stage is adjustable on most compound microscopes.
 Stage clips or mechanical stage: Clips on the stage that hold the slide in place on the
mechanical stage.
 Aperture - Disc or Iris Diaphragm: Circular opening in the stage where the
illumination from the base of the compound microscope reaches the platform of the
stage.
 Abbe Condenser: This lens concentrates the light from the base lighting onto the
stage. This component of the compound microscope rests underneath the stage and
serves as a structural support that links the stage to the microscope's arm or frame.
 Coarse and fine adjustment controls: Adjusts the microscope's focus. When gazing
at the slide or specimen via the compound microscope's eyepiece, these knobs
enhance or reduce the amount of detail observed.
 Stage height adjustment: Adjusts the mechanical stage's vertical and horizontal
position. It is critical to set these knobs such that the objective lens never comes into
contact with the slide or specimen on the stage.
 Mirror: Reflects light into the microscope's base. Earlier microscopes relied on
mirrors to reflect light into the base of the microscope rather than halogen bulbs
providing illumination.
 Illumination: Light used to illuminate the slide or specimen from the base of the
microscope. Low voltage halogen bulbs are the most commonly used source of
illumination for compound microscopes.
 Bottom Lens or Field Diaphragm: Knob used to adjust the amount of light that
reaches the specimen or slide from the base illumination.

Reference: Cejes and Libres-Etis (2014). Laboratory Manual for Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology First Edition. ChapterHouse
Publishing Incorporated, Novaliches, Quezon City.
https://personal.math.ubc.ca/~cass/courses/m309-03a/m309-projects/yeh/micro.htm
https://microscopeinternational.com/compound-microscope-parts/ Page 2 of 4
FORENSIC CHEMISTRY AND TOXICOLOGY

IV. Questions:

A. Differentiate compound microscope from the following kinds of microscope:

1. electron microscope
 The main difference between compound microscopes and electron
microscopes is that compound microscopes use visible light to magnify
objects, while electron microscopes use a beam of electrons. Compound
microscopes are typically used to observe small, living specimens, while
electron microscopes are used to observe very small, non-living
specimens.
2. scanning probe microscope
 Compound microscopes are the most common type of microscope. They
use a combination of lenses to magnify objects. Scanning probe
microscopes are less common. They use a sharp probe to scan the
surface of an object.
3. polarizing microscope
 Compound microscopes are the most common type of microscope. They
use a combination of lenses to magnify objects while Scanning
polarizing microscopes are specialized microscopes that use polarized
light to examine the structure of materials.

B. What is the application of microscope in the following fields of science?

1. Botanical field
 The microscope is a powerful tool that can be used to observe plant cells
and tissues in great detail. It can be used to study the structure and
function of plant cells, and to investigate the effects of various
treatments on plant tissue.
2. Biological field
 The microscope is one of the most important tools in the biological
sciences. It allows and helps scientists to see things that are too small to
be seen with the naked eye, such as cells, bacteria, and viruses. The
microscope has also been used to study the structure of DNA and to
observe the process of cell division.
3. Crime investigation
 The application of microscope in crime investigation is to help identify
and collect evidence. It can be used to examine fingerprints, hair, fibers,
and other small samples.
4. Medical field
 The microscope is a very important tool in the medical field. It allows
doctors and medical researchers to see things that are too small to be
seen with the naked eye. This can be extremely helpful in diagnosing
and treating diseases.

Reference: Cejes and Libres-Etis (2014). Laboratory Manual for Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology First Edition. ChapterHouse
Publishing Incorporated, Novaliches, Quezon City.
https://personal.math.ubc.ca/~cass/courses/m309-03a/m309-projects/yeh/micro.htm
https://microscopeinternational.com/compound-microscope-parts/ Page 3 of 4
FORENSIC CHEMISTRY AND TOXICOLOGY

V. Conclusion:
 After doing my assignment and answering all the questions given above,
I discovered that the microscope, which has been invented and
developed by many different scientists over time, is one of the most
important tools a scientist can use, especially in the study of biology and
chemistry. It has had a big impact on how we view life and learn more
about the nature of diseases that have plagued mankind for years. The
microscope is mainly a tool that biologists use, but it has many uses for
those studying chemistry. I’ve learned how microscopes are important in
our lives. As a criminology student, we can use microscopes in crime
investigation by identifying and collecting evidence. I’ve also learned
that the microscope is essential to the medical field because it helps the
doctors and medical researchers to find and make a cure in rare diseases.

Reference: Cejes and Libres-Etis (2014). Laboratory Manual for Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology First Edition. ChapterHouse
Publishing Incorporated, Novaliches, Quezon City.
https://personal.math.ubc.ca/~cass/courses/m309-03a/m309-projects/yeh/micro.htm
https://microscopeinternational.com/compound-microscope-parts/ Page 4 of 4