Microscope
Microscope
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.
Nosepiece houses the objectives. The objectives are exposed and
are mounted on a rotating turret so that different objectives can be
conveniently selected. Standard objectives include 4x, 10x, 40x and
100x although different power objectives are available.
Coarse and Fine Focus knobs are used to focus the microscope.
Increasingly, they are coaxial knobs - that is to say they are built on
the same axis with the fine focus knob on the outside. Coaxial focus
knobs are more convenient since the viewer does not have to grope
for a different knob.
The three basic, structural components of a compound microscope Stage Clips are used when there is no mechanical stage. The viewer
are the head, base and arm. is required to move the slide manually to view different sections of
the specimen.
Head/Body houses the optical parts in the upper part of
the microscope Aperture is the hole in the stage through which the base
Base of the microscope supports the microscope and (transmitted) light reaches the stage.
houses the illuminator
Arm connects to the base and supports the microscope Illuminator is the light source for a microscope, typically located in
head. It is also used to carry the microscope. the base of the microscope. Most light microscopes use low voltage,
halogen bulbs with continuous variable lighting control located
When carrying a compound microscope always take care to lift it by within the base.
both the arm and base, simultaneously.
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
OPTICAL COMPONENTS
with an iris diaphragm.
There are two optical systems in a compound microscope: Eyepiece
Lenses and Objective Lenses:
Iris Diaphragm controls the amount of light reaching the specimen.
It is located above the condenser and below the stage. Most high-
Eyepiece or Ocular is what you look through at the top of the quality microscopes include an Abbe condenser with an iris
microscope. Typically, standard eyepieces have a magnifying power diaphragm. Combined, they control both the focus and quantity of
of 10x. Optional eyepieces of varying powers are available, typically light applied to the specimen.
from 5x-30x.
Condenser Focus Knob moves the condenser up or down to control
Eyepiece Tube holds the eyepieces in place above the objective lens. the lighting focus on the specimen.
Binocular microscope heads typically incorporate a diopter
adjustment ring that allows for the possible inconsistencies of our
eyesight in one or both eyes. The monocular (single eye usage)
microscope does not need a diopter. Binocular microscopes also
swivel (Interpupillary Adjustment) to allow for different distances
between the eyes of different individuals.
INTRUMENTS USED IN MICROBIOLOGY