1. Name the structure and function of the following microscope parts:
1) Eye piece
2) Body Tube
3) Arm
4) Objective lenses
5) Fine focus
6) Coarse adjustment
7) Stage
8) Light source (illuminator)
9) Nosepiece
10) Coarse focus
11) Stage clips
12) Base
13) Diaphragm
14) Condenser
2. What is the standard magnification of the ocular lenses?
10x
3. What is the total magnification if you are using the 40x objective lens?
10x X 40x = 400x
4. What is the function of the condenser and how can you regulate the amount of light
passing through it?
Iris diaphragm is an adjustable part of a microscope which adjusts the amount of light passing
through the condenser.
5. The mechanical stage can be moved vertically by manipulating which knob?
Coarse adjustment knob
6. After having your sample in focus with the 4x objective lens, you want to switch to a
bigger magnification, should you manipulate the coarse knob? Why or why not?
No, since the coarse knob is only for lenses with an objective lens of 4x or less. A stronger
objective lens would be used to better observe the sample. Otherwise, one is risking damaging
equipment by sliding the sample and slamming it.
7. What is the function of the nosepiece? How should you handle it when changing
objective lenses?
The nose piece revolves the objective lenses in either an either counterclockwise or clock directions. To
change the magnification, one must turn the nose piece. It should be handled cautiously and with care,
as any other element or knob on a microscope.