MODULE 1

The Microscope

In the 17th century, amateur Dutch scientist Anton Von Leeuwenhoek used one of the microscopes to
discover a whole new world of living organisms. They are using a single lens or a simple microscope. He
observed tiny microorganisms in pond water and other substances. Robert Hooke, an English scientist,
discovered that larger organisms have small microscopic subunits he called “cells.” Ever since this early
era of discovery, biological microscopy has been essential in the study of living organisms. The
microscopes used in this course are COMPOUND MICROSCOPES, made of a set of lenses. They are more
powerful and more complex than those used by early scientists. This module will introduce you to the
use and care of the standard compound microscope.

Learning Objectives
When you finish this exercise, you should be able to:

1. Identify each significant part of a compound light microscope and describe its function
2. Distinguish the different types of Microscope including their uses and medical
importance
3. Determine total magnification in various settings.

Parts of the MICROSCOPE

Observe the compound light microscope (Figure 1.1.) and identify each of the parts
described below:

1. Ocular/Eyepiece. The set of lenses closest to your eye. It magnifies an image by the
factor indicated on the ocular’s barrel, usually 10X. If the element is 10X, the image is
magnified ten times. If the factor is 5X, the image is magnified 5X. Many binocular
microscopes have an ocular adjustment feature on one of the oculars. This feature
allows you to adjust the focus of one ocular to match what you see in the other ocular
(when focused).
2. Body Tube. Holds the ocular in place. It may be more like a box in some models. 3.
Revolving Nosepiece. A turretlike circular mechanism rotates so that different lenses can
be selected. Always turn the nosepiece by holding the outside of the revolving disk –
never push on the lens barrel.
4. Objectives. The lens attached to the revolving nosepiece. Each objective is marked with
its magnification factor.
4.1. 4X (scanning objective) is used for the initial location of the specimen.
4.2. 10X (low-power objective) used for the initial location of the specimen. Also used
for observing samples that don’t need higher magnification.
4.3. 40X (high-dry objective) used for specimens requiring higher magnification. The
 objective is called dry because it doesn’t require the use of oil as other
high-power objectives.
4.4. 100X (high-oil objective) is used for the magnification of microscopic specimens such as
bacterial cells. It must be immersed in oil, so it called the high-oil objective
4.5. In this module, low power will refer to the use of the 10X objective, and high power will
apply to the use of the 40X objective.
5. Total Magnification. Is determined by multiplying the power of the ocular by the power of
objective in use.
10 X 10 = 100
6. Mechanical stage
Positioning knobs
Stage clips

The specimen is usually mounted on a glass or plastic microscope slide that rests on the stage, a
platform just below the objective. The stage has a hole so that light can pass through the
specimen from below. If the stage has adjustable brackets that move the slide around
mechanically by rotating positioning knobs, the stage is called the mechanical stage. If not, the
slide is held by stage clips and must be moved by hands.

7. High-intensity lamp. Light rays from the lamp travel through a hole in the stage, through
a specimen mounted on the slides, then through the objectives and ocular, to the eye. 8.
Substage condenser. A lens that concentrates light may be found between the lamp and
stage.
9. Iris diaphragm. Sometimes the light from the lamp is too strong to see the specimen.
The light level may be reduced by adjusting the lamp intensity. Light intensity may be
modified by changing the diaphragm just below the stage. The Iris diaphragm is of
overlapping silvers of metal in a circular pattern resembling the iris of the human eye.
You can change the amount of light passing to the specimen by rotating the lever
projecting from the iris diaphragm.
10. Arm. The entire upper assembly is held bar called the arm. The arm may be connected
to the base by a pivot, which allows the top assembly to move into a more comfortable
viewing position.
11. Base.
12. Pivot
13. Course adjustment and fine adjustment. These knobs adjust the distance between the
stage and objective, thus focusing an image of the specimen. The fine focus knob
changes the distance very little, whereas the course-focus knob changes the distance
significantly.