BIOCHEMISTRY REVIEWER 2024 9.

Base:
 Function: The base supports the
I. Microscope microscope and provides stability.
10. Illuminator (Light Source):
1. Eyepiece (Ocular Lens):
 Function: The illuminator is the
 Function: The eyepiece is where
light source that provides
you look through to observe the
illumination for the specimen. It
specimen. It typically magnifies the
can be built into the microscope or
image.
external.
2. Objective Lenses:
11. Rack Stop:
 Function: These are the lenses
 Function: The rack stop sets a limit
closest to the specimen and
on how far the stage or objective
provide different levels of
lenses can move, preventing
magnification. Users can rotate
damage to the specimen or lenses.
between objective lenses to
12. Mechanical Stage Controls:
achieve various magnification
 Function: These controls include
levels.
3. Stage: knobs for moving the mechanical
stage horizontally and vertically,
 Function: The stage is a platform
allowing precise positioning of the
where the specimen is placed for
specimen.
observation. It often includes clips
or a mechanical stage for securing II. pH Calculation
and moving the specimen. The pH of a solution is a measure of its acidity or
4. Condenser: alkalinity and is determined by the concentration
 Function: The condenser focuses of hydrogen ions (H⁺) in the solution. The pH
light onto the specimen, scale ranges from 0 to 14, where:
optimizing illumination for clearer
visibility.  pH less than 7 indicates acidity (0 being
5. Diaphragm: highly acidic).
 Function: The diaphragm controls  pH equal to 7 is neutral.
the amount of light reaching the  pH greater than 7 indicates alkalinity (14
specimen. Adjusting the being highly alkaline).
diaphragm helps in optimizing
contrast and brightness. The pH is calculated using the formula:
6. Coarse Adjustment Knob:
 Function: The coarse adjustment pH=−log⁡[�+]pH=−log[H+]
knob is used for rough focusing,
quickly bringing the specimen into
where: [�+][H+] is the concentration of
view.
hydrogen ions in moles per liter.
7. Fine Adjustment Knob:
 Function: The fine adjustment
If you know the hydrogen ion concentration, you
knob allows for precise focusing,
can use this formula to calculate the pH. For
refining the image for better
clarity. example, if the concentration of �+H+ is
8. Arm: 1×10−41×10−4 M:
 Function: The arm provides
support and helps in carrying the pH=−log⁡(1×10−4)pH=−log(1×10−4)
microscope.
pH=−(−4)pH=−(−4)

pH=4pH=4