Parts and Function of a Microscope

• The objective lenses are located below the stage, closer to the specimen being viewed.
• The condenser focuses light onto the specimen from above.
• The eyepiece is the lens closest to your eye.
• A compound microscope consists of two main parts - the base (stand) and the head.
• The stand holds the microscope together and provides stability.
• The fine adjustment knob is the smaller knob for slow movement when focusing the HPO
• The illuminator is where the light source enters the microscope
• The HPO is the longer tube with higher magnifying power
• The LPO is the shorter tube with lower magnifying power
• The stage is the flat surface on which the specimen is placed
• The coarse focus knob moves the entire microscope up or down, allowing for quick changes in focus
• The stage clips hold the slide onto the stage
• The condenser lens focuses light onto the specimen
• The diaphragm adjusts the amount of light that reaches the specimen.