The microscope is a tool that can help you see tiny objects and living organisms.
It makes them look bigger.
This ability of the microscope is called its magnifying power or magnification.
1. MECHANICAL PARTS – refers to the parts that serve as the framework of the microscope.
a. Body tube.
b. Coarse adjustment knob
c. Fine adjustment knob
d. Revolving nosepiece
e. Arm.
f. Stage clip
g. Stage
h. Inclination joint
i. Base
2. ILLUMINATING OR OPTICAL PARTS – designed to transmit light through a translucent object for viewing
a. Diaphragm.
b. Mirror
3. MAGNIFYING PARTS – enlarge or magnify the objects.
a. Eyepiece or ocular – 10x or 15x
b. Objectives
Scanner – 4x or 5x
Low power objective (LPO) – 10x, used to get the outline of the object.
High power objective (HPO) -40x, used to study the object in detail.
Oil immersion objective (OIO) – 100x use to study bacteria.
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The history of the microscope is a fascinating journey that spans centuries of scientific development,
leading to our understanding of the microscopic world. Here's an overview:
Early Antecedents (Pre-17th Century):
The concept of magnification and lenses dates back to ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians and Greeks.
They used glass or crystal lenses to magnify objects but didn't create microscopes as we know them today.
Creation of the Compound Microscope (Late 16th Century):
The invention of the compound microscope is credited to Zacharias Janssen, a Dutch spectacle-maker, and
his father Hans Janssen around 1590. They were the first to combine multiple lenses in a tube, allowing for
greater magnification.
Improvements by Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (17th Century):
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, a Dutch scientist, is considered the father of microbiology. In the mid-17th
century, he developed a simple microscope with a single lens and achieved exceptional magnification,
observing single-celled organisms for the first time, including bacteria, spermatozoa, and blood cells.
Further Refinements and Scientific Contributions (18th-19th Centuries):
Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, advancements in lens grinding, optical quality, and microscope
design were made by scientists and instrument-makers such as Robert Hooke, Joseph Jackson Lister, and Carl
Zeiss. These improvements significantly enhanced the resolution and quality of microscopes.
A compound microscope is a scientific instrument that uses lenses and light to magnify small objects,
enabling us to see them more clearly.
Parts of a Compound Microscope:
Base: The bottom part that supports the entire microscope. It's the foundation that keeps the
microscope stable.
Stage: The flat surface where you place the specimen for observation.
Arm: It's the curved part that connects the stage to the top of the microscope. You can hold the
microscope using the arm while adjusting it.
Stage Clips: These hold the slide in place on the stage.
Coarse Adjustment Knob: This knob moves the stage up and down to bring the specimen into rough
focus.
Fine Adjustment Knob: This knob fine-tunes the focus for sharper and clearer images.
Nosepiece: It holds the objective lenses and allows you to rotate them for different levels of
magnification.
Objective Lenses: Lenses closest to the specimen that provide different levels of magnification (low,
medium, high).
Eyepiece or Ocular Lens: The lens closest to your eye that further magnifies the image produced by
the objective lenses.
Diaphragm: It controls the amount of light passing through the specimen.
Light Source: Usually located under the stage, it provides light to illuminate the specimen for better
visibility.
Condenser Lens: Focuses light onto the specimen for clearer viewing.
How a Compound Microscope Works:
1. Light passes through the specimen placed on the stage.
2. The objective lenses collect this light and magnify the image.
3. The enlarged image passes through the eyepiece, further magnifying it for our eyes.
Uses of a Compound Microscope:
Science and Biology: It helps scientists study cells, tissues, bacteria, and other tiny organisms.
Medicine: Doctors and researchers use microscopes to diagnose diseases and study cells for medical
research.
Education: It's an essential tool in schools and labs for teaching and exploring the microscopic world.
Total Magnification:
The total magnification of the microscope is determined by multiplying the magnification of the objective
lens by the magnification of the eyepiece lens. Microscope objectives are typically labeled with their
magnification, such as 4x, 10x, 40x, or 100x. Eyepieces are often 10x, but they can vary. So, if you have a 10x
objective and a 10x eyepiece, the total magnification will be 10x multiplied by 10x, which is 100x.
FOCUSING THE SPECIMEN….
1. The circle below represents the field of view of the microscope. The square represents the plant cell
being viewed and the star represents the center. If you were asked to bring the image of this
specimen to the center, how would you move the slide?
Answer: Away from you
2. Why it is necessary for the specimen to be observed under the microscope to be thin?
Answer: So that light could pass through the specimen
3. What is the proper way of viewing or looking through the ocular or eyepiece?
Answer: Reduced Eye Strain: Viewing through a microscope for an extended period can cause eye strain. By
keeping both eyes open, you allow both eyes to work together naturally, reducing fatigue and strain
compared to viewing with just one eye. It helps maintain a more relaxed and comfortable viewing
experience.
