The 3 basic structural components are

1. Head - The body or head comprises the optical parts present in the
upper part of the microscope
2. Arm - The arm connects and supports the base and head of the
microscope. Also, it is used to carry the microscope.
3. Base –The base of the microscope supports the microscope and
comprises the illuminator

Major groups

A. The optical part of the microscope – which regulates the light rays
including the formation of images

1. Eyepiece/ Ocular - is what an observer looks through and is present in the

upper portion of the microscope. The eyepiece tube clasps the eyepieces which
are positioned above the objective lens.

2. Objective lenses – are the main optical lenses. They range in various
magnifications from 4x to 100x and generally include 3 to 5 lenses on a single
microscope
a. L.P.O./ Low power objective – views the specimen in a larger field.
b. H.P.O/ High power objectives – obtains greater magnification and views
detailed structures of the specimen.
c. Oil immersion objective – obtains greater magnification than H.P.O. In using
this, a drop of oil is placed on the slide for better refraction

B. Mechanical Parts - which hold the structure together and control their use.
1. Revolving Nosepiece – The Nosepiece houses the objective lenses.

2. The fine and coarse focus knobs are the adjustment knobs – are often
used to focus the microscope. They are coaxial knobs. This means the
focusing system of both fine and coarse focus are mounted on the same axis.
There is also a condenser focus knob which moves the condenser up or down to
control the lighting

3. Stage – where the specimen to be viewed is placed.

 4. Stage clips - are operated to hold the slide in place. To see different areas
of the specimen, the observer must physically move the slide.

6. Condenser and condenser focus knob – is typically used to gather and

focus the illuminator’s light onto the specimen. It is found beneath the
stage and is often observed in conjunction with a diaphragm or iris.

7. Base – support the microscope

8. Dust shield – the circular disc above the revolving nosepiece to protect the
objectives from dust.

9. Arm – supports the body tube and primarily serves as a means for carrying the
microscope.

10. Adjustment – the wheel that raises or lowers the tube

a. coarse adjustment – changes the elevation of the tube rapidly for
preliminary focusing. allows for quick focusing by moving the objective lens or
stage up and down.
b. fine adjustment – permits gradual changes in the elevation of the tube
for final and accurate focusing. used to bring the specimen into sharp focus
under low power and is used for all focusing when using high-power lenses.

11. Draw tube – a small tube attached above the body tube wherein the ocular or
the eyepiece is placed.

12. Body tube - cylindrical that bears the objectives at the lower end and the
eyepiece at the upper portion. separates the objective and the eyepiece and
assures continuous alignment of the optics.

C. Illuminating parts - which regulate the light rays including the formation
of images
1. Mirror – it reflects rays through the objects. One side of the mirror is
plain. (Used with natural light); the other is concave (used with artificial
light)
2. Iris Diaphragm –regulates the amount of light that reaches the
specimen. It is situated above the condenser but beneath the stage.

3. Condenser - is typically used to gather and focus the illuminator’s

light onto the

4. Illuminator – acts as the light source and is typically located at the

microscope’s base. Most light microscopes operate on halogen bulbs with
low voltage and also have variable and continuous lighting control within
the base.