Lab 5 - Microscope Parts

Question 1

Ocular lenses

Answer 1

Lenses to look through to view the specimen. Most oculars have a magnification of 10x, some may have 15x. Many oculars have a pointer set in the glass to enable the viewer to point at parts of the specimen.

Question 2

Head

Answer 2

Upper part of microscope containing oculars and rotating nose piece.

Question 3

Arm

Answer 3

Narrow, vertical part connecting the head and base. It may be straight or curved and supports the upper parts and provides a carrying handle.

Question 4

Rotating nose piece

Answer 4

Revolving device located below the ocular lenses. It serves as an attachment for the objective lenses. The viewer can rotate the nose piece to change from one objective lens to another.

Question 5

Scanning lens

Answer 5

Magnification 4x. The shortest of the objective lens, and used to scan the whole slide.

Question 6

Low power lens

Answer 6

Magnification 10x. Longer than the scanning objective lens and is used to view objects in greater detail.

Question 7

High power lens

Answer 7

Magnification 40x. Used to view at even greater detail.

Question 8

Oil immersion lens

Answer 8

Magnification 100x. Used in conjunction with immersion oil to view objects with the greatest magnification.

Question 9

Mechanical stage/ stage clip control

Answer 9

Keeps the specimen slide stationary while viewing.

Question 10

Mechanical stage/ stage clip control

Answer 10

Two knobs that allow the movement of the specimen slide on the stage while viewing.

Question 11

Stage

Answer 11

The flat platform connected to the arm and beneath the objective lenses, upon which the specimen slide is placed.

Question 12

Condenser

Answer 12

A lens located just below the stage that concentrates light on the specimen. The farther away the condenser is from the specimen the broader the light beam. The closer the condenser is o the specimen the more narrow and concentrated the light beam. For exercises in this manual, the best position for the condenser is close to the stage.

Question 13

Condenser control

Answer 13

Knob allowing the viewer to control the position of the condenser.

Question 14

Iris diaphragm lever

Answer 14

A lever located beneath the condenser, it opens and closes the iris diaphragm regulating the light passing through the condenser.

Question 15

Coarse adjustment knob

Answer 15

Two knobs on either side of the microscope at the base of the arm. Usually the largest knobs ok the arm. Turning them will raise and lower the stage, bringing it closer to or farther away from the scanning lens. These knobs control the focus. Only to be used with 4x and 10x.

Question 16

Fine adjustment knob

Answer 16

Two knobs usually located in the center of each coarse adjustment knob. Used for precision focusing, since they raise or lower the stage in very small increments. Safe to use with the high power and oil immersion lenses.

Question 17

Sub stage light

Answer 17

A light within the base providing the light source for illumination of the specimen. The power switch usually at the side or front of the microscope turns it off and on.

Question 18

Rheostat

Answer 18

Dial that adjusts the light intensity allowed through the condenser on the specimen.

Question 19

Base

Answer 19

The supportive flat surface of the microscope that rests on the table.