Parts of a Compound Light Microscope

1. Parts of a Compound Light Microscope

2. Definition of a microscope An instrument that magnifies very tiny things in order to make them appear larger

3. Arm Used to support the microscope when it is carried Base The bottom part that supports the whole microscope

4. Body tube Cylinder that separates the eyepiece from the nosepiece – light passes through it so you can see the specimen

5. Coarse adjustment knob The bigger knob that moves the stage up and down – you turn this knob first to focus your specimen

6. Fine adjustment knob The smaller knob that is used to sharpen the image of your specimen – turn this knob second after using the coarse adjustment knob

7. diaphragm The numbered dial found under the stage that regulates the amount of light that goes through the stage to the specimen

8. eyepiece Where you put your eye to see the specimen – it contains the ocular lens

9. Light source Turns on to send light through the diaphragm and through the specimen

10. Objective lenses magnifies the specimen Low power is 4X Medium power is 10X High power is 40X

11. nosepiece Holds the three objective lenses – it rotates so you can change the magnification from low to medium to high power

12. stage The black square that supports the slide being viewed – the hole in the middle lets the light through

13. Stage clips Two silver clips attached to the stage that hold the slide in place

14. Field of view The circle of light you see when you look in the eyepiece – this is where you see your specimen

15. pointer A black line you can see in the field of view which helps to point out specific parts of your specimen

16. slide rectangular glass piece where you put your specimen so then it can be viewed under the microscope

17. coverslip The plastic square piece you put on the top of your specimen