Exercise No. 1 The Microscope 1. A microscope is an optical instrument consisting mainly of ground lenses designed to magnify an object in focus.

Magnification results from the formation of an image of an object that is larger than the object itself. The study of the cell structures and cell functions are dependent on the use of microscopes. 2. A light microscope uses the refraction of light rays through a system of lenses that accomplish the magnification. The compound light microscope is composed of two or more lense systems that are combined to achieve a magnification. 3. Generally, the microscope consists of essential parts (parts used for viewing) and mechanical parts (used for supporting the essential parts).

Parts of a Compound Light Microscope: A. Essential Parts 1. Magnifying Parts a. ocular or eyepiece consists of a lens with a magnifying power of 5x or 10x; where one peeps during observation b. objective lenses - consist of lenses used for additional or higher magnification 1. scanning objective used to generally view the object in focus under 4x magnification

2. low power objective used to view the object in focus under 10x magnification 3. high power objective used to view the object in focus under 40x-43x magnification 4. oil immersion objective used to view the object in focus under 100x magnification with the aid of a special oil put on top of the cover slip of the slide prepared 2. Illuminating Parts a. mirror provides illumination for the object or specimen in focus 1. with concave surface used when diffused light is available 2. with plane or convex surface used when bright light is available b. substage condenser concentrates the amount of light through the control of its iris aperture (opening); attached below the platform stage c. iris diaphragm regulates the amount of light or the diameter of light that passes through the lens system through a small movable lever; found below the Abbe condenser

*refraction - the turning or bending of any wave, such as a light or sound wave, when it passes from one medium into another of
different optical density

B. Mechanical Parts 1. draw tube holds the eyepiece 2. head connect the eyepiece to the nosepiece; connected to the arm of the microscope 3. revolving nosepiece manipulates the objectives depending on the magnification needed for focusing 4. dust shield protects the objectives from dust 5. mechanical stage/platform stage an attachment to the base of the arm with an opening where light passes through to illuminate the object or specimen in focus 6. stage clips hold the slide containing the specimen in focus 7. inclination joint a structure situated between the base and the body of the microscope allowing tilting of the instrument when necessary 8. mirror rack holds the mirror used for illumination 9. coarse focus adjustment knob used to raise the body tube in focusing the object or specimen; used when viewing the object or specimen under LPO (10x) 10. fine focus adjustment knob used for fine or precise focusing; used when viewing the object or specimen under HPO (40x) 11. pillar/frame a vertical column that serves as the neck and backbone of the microscope; gives height to the microscope; connected to the arm of the microscope 12. base/foot supports the entire microscope

Other Parts of an Electrical Compound Light Microscope: 1. light bulb the electrical source of illumination 2. X-Y coaxial stage adjustment knob/stage control manipulates the forward-to-backward and left-toright orientations of the slide containing the specimen 3. light switch puts the light on or off 4. illumination adjustment knob adjusts the intensity of light coming from the light switch or source of illumination Other Terms: 1. focus a means of moving the specimen closer or farther away from the objective lens of a microscope to render a sharp image 2. parfocal a description of an imaging device, like a microscope, whereby the object or specimen must be in focus or close enough making minor adjustments when refocusing from one objective to another occurs 3. resolving power the ability of an imaging device to separate two or more clustered objects producing a good image resolution 4. working distance the distance maintained between the objective lens used and the cover slip on the slide containing the specimen in focus 5. field of view the diameter of the circle of light seen looking into a microscope

References: Borja, Ma. Lourdes T. et al. Laboratory Notes and Guides in General Botany . Manila, 1994. De Leon, E.P., R.M. del Rosario, and E.R. Tadiosa. Laboratory Manual for General Botany. Manila, 1997.