Lab 1 : microscope parts and functions

Question 1

what is the arm

Answer 1

Supports the body tube and lenses. Use the arm to
carry your microscope.

Question 2

what is the Light Source, Light Intensity Knob, and
On/Off switch

Answer 2

Provides illumination of the specimen. The intensity of
the light can be adjusted using the light intensity knob
near the light source on/off switch.

Question 3

what are the Oculars (Eyepieces)

Answer 3

Further magnifies the image (10X) from the objective
and puts it in a form and position suitable for viewing.
Can be adjusted to fit the users interpupillary distance
and correct for vision

Question 4

what is the Revolving Nose Piece

Answer 4

Allows the user to change objective lenses without
damaging them. The objectives should not be pushed
or pulled to change lenses.

Question 5

what are the objective lenses

Answer 5

Supplies the initial magnified image of the specimen.
The magnification of each objective is written on its
side.

Question 6

what is the Mechanical Stage (Slide Holder)

Answer 6

Clips a slide into place and allows user to move slide
in the x plane (left to right) using the stage control
knob. A Vernier scale tracks movement of the
specimen in the x plane.

Question 7

what is the sample stage

Answer 7

Provides a platform for the specimen and allows user
to move the specimen in the y plane (front to back)
using the stage control knob. A Vernier scale tracks
movement of the specimen in the y plane. The sample
stage can also be moved up and down to focus (see
coarse and fine focusing knobs).

Question 8

what is the Coarse and Fine Focus Adjustment
Knobs

Answer 8

Adjusts the height of the sample stage relative to the
objective to focus the specimen. The Coarse Focus
Knob is very sensitive (in terms of the change in
height as the knob is rotated) and allows for the initial
focusing (only used with the 4X objective.) The Fine
Focus Knob is much less sensitive and allows for fine
focusing when using any objective.

Question 9

what is the condenser

Answer 9

Collects and concentrates light onto the specimen and
projects image onto front lens of the objective in place.
Can be controlled to optimize contrast and resolution
of the image viewed and reduce glare. Controlled
using the Condenser Adjustment Lever.

Question 10

what is the Condenser Adjustment Lever

Answer 10

Controls the distance of the condenser to the sample
stage. Lever downCondenser up; Lever
upCondenser down. As a rule of thumb, the lower
the magnification, the higher the condenser
should be (i.e. the lever should be down)
positioned in the optical path.

Question 11

what is the Iris Diaphragm & Lever

Answer 11

Controls the amount of light entering and leaving the
condenser. This control should not be used to adjust
the light intensity. Can be used to optimize contrast
and resolution of the image viewed and reduce glare.
Controlled using the Iris Diaphragm Lever.