PARTS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE COMPOUND MICROSCOPE.

 Eyepiece (ocular lens) with or without Pointer: The part that is looked through
at the top of the compound microscope. Eyepieces typically have a magnification
between 5x & 30x.
 Diopter Adjustment- allow you to make minor corrections to the image,
compensating for the difference in vision between the two eyes.
 Arm: Supports the microscope head and attaches it to the base.
 Coarse and fine adjustment controls: Adjusts the focus of the microscope.
These knobs increase or decrease the level of detail seen when looking at the
slide or specimen through the eyepiece of the compound microscope.
 On/off switch: This switch on the base of the microscope turns the illuminator off
and on.
 Nosepiece: Holds the objective lenses & attaches them to the microscope head.
This part rotates to change which objective lens is active.
 Objective Lenses are the primary optical lenses on a microscope. They range
from 4x-100x and typically, include, three, four or five on lens on most
microscopes. Objectives can be forward or rear-facing.
 Slide Holder- is an important component for observing specimens by holding
your slides secure and steady during observation.
 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.
 Condenser is used to collect and focus the light from the illuminator on to the
specimen. It is located under the stage often in conjunction with an iris
diaphragm.
 Iris Diaphragm: Circular opening in the stage where the illumination from the
base of the compound microscope reaches the platform of the stage.
 Illuminator is the light source for a microscope, typically located in the base of
the microscope. Most light microscopes use low voltage, halogen bulbs with
continuous variable lighting control located within the base.
 Base: Bottom base of the microscope that houses the illumination & supports the
compound microscope.