Note: Be sure to review the history of the microscope and microscope safety procedures. Links are provided at bottom of page. For a printer friendly version, click here.
1. Ocular Lens (Eyepiece) - where you look through to see the image of your specimen. Magnifies
the specimen 10X actual size.
2. Body tube - the long tube that supports the eyepiece and connects it to the objectives.
3. Nosepiece - the rotating part of the microscope at the bottom of the body tube; it holds the
objectives.
4. Objective Lenses - (low, medium, high). Depending on the microscope, you may have 2, 3 or
more objectives attached to the nosepiece; they vary in length (the shortest is the lowest power
or magnification; the longest is the highest power or magnification).
5. Arm - part of the microscope that you carry the microscope with; connects the head and base of
the microscope.
6. Coarse Adjustment Knob - large, round knob on the side of the microscope used for "rough" focusing of the specimen; it may
move either the stage or the upper part of the microscope. Location may vary depending on microscope - it may be on the
bottom of the arm or on the top.
7. Fine Adjustment Knob - small, round knob on the side of the microscope used to fine-tune the focus of your specimen after
using the coarse adjustment knob. As with the Coarse Adjustment Knob, location may vary depending on the microscope.
8. Stage - large, flat area under the objectives; it has a hole in it (see aperture) that allows light through; the specimen/slide is
placed on the stage for viewing.
9. Stage Clips - clips on top of the stage which hold the slide in place.
10. Aperture - the hole in the stage that concentrates light through the specimen for better viewing.
11. Diaphragm - controls the amount of light going through the aperture; may be adjusted.
12. Light or Mirror - source of light usually found near the base of the microscope; used to direct light upward through the
microscope. The light source makes the specimen easier to see.
