Microscope Basics and Types

Microscope Basics

• Microscopes are devices using magnifying lenses to view small objects in detail, creating enlarged images.
• Two key functions are magnification (enlarging the image) and resolution (ability to see fine detail).
• Magnification increases as you zoom in on the specimen.
• Resolution improves as magnification increases, allowing the ability to distinguish two points as separate.
• As magnification increases, resolution also increases.

Types of Microscopes

• Light microscopes: Use visible light to magnify.
• Electron microscopes: Use beams of electrons to achieve extremely high magnification, useful for seeing details within a cell.
• Dissecting microscopes: Used for viewing larger specimens in three dimensions, at lower magnification.

Electron Microscopes

• Modern microscopes.
• Extremely high magnification possible (up to 1,000,000x), which allows seeing extremely small details in a cell.
• More powerful than light microscopes and suitable to see details inside of a cell that cannot be seen with a light microscope

Parts of a Light Microscope

• Eyepiece (Ocular Lens): The lens you look through.
• Body Tube: Connects the eyepiece to the objective lenses.
• Revolving Nosepiece: Holds the objective lenses.
• Objective Lenses: Different magnification lenses that are mounted onto the rotating nosepiece.
• Stage: Holds the specimen.
• Stage Clips: Hold the specimen in place.
• Diaphragm: Controls the amount of light passing through the specimen.
• Light Source (Lamp): Illuminates the specimen.
• Coarse Adjustment Knob: Used for initial focusing.
• Fine Adjustment Knob: Used for precise focusing.
• Arm: Supports the microscope.
• Base: The bottom of the microscope.
• Condenser: Focuses the light onto the specimen.
• Condenser Height Adjustment: Controls the height of the condenser.
• Microscope Tube: Holds lenses above the stage.

Microscope Use

• Place the slide with the specimen on the stage.
• Secure the slide with stage clips.
• Rotate the revolving nosepiece to select the lowest powered objective lens.
• Look into the eyepiece.
• Use the coarse adjustment knob to bring the specimen into approximate focus.
• Use the fine adjustment knob for precise focusing.

Explore the fundamentals of microscope technology, including magnification and resolution. Learn about different types of microscopes such as light, electron, and dissecting microscopes, and understand their unique functions and applications.