Microscopes

• Depth of Field: Greatest at the lower power objectives/magnifications.
• Illumination: Increases with magnification, since greater magnification needs more clarity and contrast.
• Thin: Compound microscope samples, so that light can pass through sample.
• Dissecting Microscope: Larger working distance; opaque and large objects; lower magnification; 3-D; not flipped.
• Nosepiece: Houses the objective lenses.
• Objective Lenses: Often four lenses with different magnifications.
• Stage: Where the slide rests.
• Coarse Focus Knob: Adjusts the working distance to help focus the image. Broader adjustments.
• Fine Focus Knob: Adjusts working distance. Only for higher objective lenses. Detailed work.
• Stage Adjustment Knob: Moves the stage.
• Condenser: Focuses light onto specimen.
• Iris Diaphragm: Adjust amount of light entering condenser.
• Light Source: Source of light.
• Intensity Control Knob: Adjusts the intensity of light.
• Support: Arm, base.
• Threads: Three colored threads seen at higher magnification.
• Methylene Blue: Used for lab. Onion and cheek cells.
• Dyes: Enhance visualization of specific elements of sample.