Light Microscope

Question 1

Label the light microscope

Answer 1

A-tube 
B-rotating nose piece 
C- objective lens 
D-stage clips 
E-diaphragm and condenser 
F-light source 
G-eyepiece (ocular) 
H-arm 
I-stage 
J-coarse adjustment 
K-fine adjustment 
L-base

Question 2

What is the tube for in a light microscope

Answer 2

Provides a pathway for the light from the objective to the eyepiece

Question 3

What is the rotating nose piece for in a light microscope

Answer 3

A disc, containing different objective lenses that can rotate to allow the different objectives to be used

Question 4

What is the objective lens for in a light microscope

Answer 4

Convex lenses of different strengths to enlarge the image

Question 5

What is the diaphragm for in a light microscope

Answer 5

Can be opened and closed to allow more or less light to pass through the specimen

Question 6

What is the condenser for in a light microscope

Answer 6

the condenser is a lense that focuses the light from the light source onto the specimen

Question 7

What are the stage clips for in a light microscope

Answer 7

The stage clips keep the microscope slide in position on the stage

Question 8

What is the light source for in a light microscope

Answer 8

An electric or a mirror providing light that will be directed towards the specimen

Question 9

What is the eyepiece (ocular) for in a light microscope

Answer 9

Convex lenses lenses to enlarge the image, the eyepiece usually has a magnification of 10x

Question 10

What is the arm for in a light microscope

Answer 10

The arm connects the upper part, containing the lenses with the lower part, containing the light source. The microscope needs to be picked up by the arm

Question 11

What is the stage for in a light microscope

Answer 11

A platform that supports the microscope slide over an opening which allows light to pass through from below

Question 12

What is the coarse adjustment for in a light microscope

Answer 12

Rapidly moves the stage up and down to focus the image when the small objects are being used. You always start with this

Question 13

What is the fine adjustment for in a light microscope

Answer 13

Slowly moves the stage up and down to focus the image when the longer objectives are being used

Question 14

What is the base for in a light microscope

Answer 14

The base is very heavy and has a large surface area to support the weight of the microscope, preventing it from falling over

Question 15

What are the limitations of a light microscope

Answer 15

A light microscope cannot be used to distinguish objects that are smaller than half the wavelength light

Question 16

What type of microscope can be used where a light microscope is not suitable

Answer 16

An electron microscope

Question 17

How does an electron microscope function

Answer 17

Electrons are speeded up in a vacuum until their wavelength is extremely short. Beams of these fast moving electrons are focused on a cell sample and are absorbed or scattered by the cell’s parts so as to form an image on an electron sensitive photographic plate

Question 18

What’s re the two types of electron microscopes

Answer 18

Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM)

Question 19

What is the drawback of an electron microscope

Answer 19

Since no living specimen can survive under the high vacuum, they cannot show the ever changing movements that characterize a living cell