microscope lab

• What is a compound light microscope?

  A microscope with more than one lens
• What is the function of ocular lenses in a compound microscope?

  They magnify the specimen typically by 10× or 15×
• Where are the objective lenses located in a compound microscope?

  On the rotating nosepiece closer to the specimen
• Why is a compound light microscope considered a bright field microscope?

  It has its own light source at the base
• What are the magnifying parts of a compound microscope?

  • Ocular lenses/eyepiece (10× or 15×)
  • Objectives (4×, 10×, 40×, 100×)
• What is the purpose of the light source in a compound microscope?

  It provides illumination for magnification
• What does the condenser do in a compound microscope?

  Focuses and concentrates light into the specimen
• How does the iris diaphragm affect microscopy?

  It adjusts the amount of light passing through
• What are the mechanical parts of a compound microscope?

  • Base
  • Arm
  • Stage
  • Stage control knobs
  • Body tube
  • Coarse adjustment knob
  • Fine adjustment knob
  • Nosepiece
  • Head
• What is the function of the stage in a compound microscope?

  It is the platform where the slide is placed
• What do stage control knobs do?

  Allow movement of the slide along X and Y axes
• What is the purpose of the coarse adjustment knob?

  Moves the stage for general focusing
• When is the fine adjustment knob used?

  For precise focusing with high-power objectives
• What is bright-field microscopy used for?

  To observe specimens with light passing through
• How does dark-field microscopy illuminate specimens?

  It uses oblique rays against a dark background
• What is the advantage of phase-contrast microscopy?

  It shows components difficult to see in bright field
• What does a fluorescence microscope detect?

  Fluorescence to generate an image
• What is the primary use of an electron microscope?

  To use accelerated electrons for illumination
• How does an electron microscope differ from an optical microscope?

  It uses electrons instead of visible light