microscopy

• Microscope


  A precise and delicate instrument consisting mainly of a system of lenses, assembled to give sharp, distinct and magnified image of the microscopic specimens
• Different types of microscope

  • Fluorescence microscope
  • Stereo microscope
  • Digital microscope
  • Simple/Optical or light microscope
  • Compound microscope
  • Electron microscope
• Fluorescence microscope


  A special type of light microscope that uses fluorescence and phosphorescence to view samples and their properties
• Stereo microscope


  Also known as dissecting microscope, uses two objectives and two eyepieces to view a specimen under angles to the human eyes forming a stereo 3D optical vision
• Digital microscope


  Has a digital CCD camera attached to it and connected to a LCD or a computer monitor, usually has no eyepieces to view the objects directly
• Simple/Optical or light microscope


  A type of compound microscope that uses a combination of lenses magnifying the images of small objects, the oldest type and simplest to use and manufacture
• Compound microscope


  An optical device made for magnifying objects, consists of a number of lenses forming the image by the lens or a combination of lenses positioned near the object
• Electron microscope


  One of the most advanced and important types of microscopes with the highest magnifying capacity, uses electrons to illuminate the tiniest particles
• Parts of compound microscope

  • Magnifying parts/Optical parts
  • Illuminating parts
  • Mechanical parts
  • Focusing mechanism
• Magnifying parts/Optical parts


  Composed of ground and polished lenses for the enlargement of the image and objects under study
• Objectives of compound microscope

  • Scanner
  • Low power objective (LPO)
  • High power objective (HPO)
  • Oil immersion objective (OIO)
• Scanner


  The shortest objective usually marked 4x, provides general view of the specimen
• Low power objective (LPO)


  A shorter objective usually with magnifying power of 4x to 10x, provides general view of the specimen
• High power objective (HPO)


  Usually marked 40x to 60x, provides a more detailed view than the LPO
• Oil immersion objective (OIO)


  Gives the highest magnification with the magnifying power of 97x to 100x
• Ocular or eyepiece


  Found on the top of the microscope which gives the final magnification of the specimen with a magnifying power of 10x
• Illuminating parts

  Found below the stage for light gathering and regulation
• Light source


  Illuminates the object to be seen, can be a mirror or self-illuminating
• Types of mirrors

  • Plane mirror
  • Concave mirror
• Plane surface


  Used when the source of light is artificial
• Concave mirror


  Used when the source of light is natural
• Iris diaphragm


  Found below the stage, used to regulate the amount of light by means of a lever
• Condenser

  Found below the stage, used to concentrate light to the specimen under study
• Mechanical parts

  Consist of precise parts of metals to support and adjust the optical
• Mechanical parts of microscope

  • Base
  • Pillar
  • Arm or handle
  • Inclination joint
  • Body tube
  • Revolving or rotating nosepiece
• Base


  Usually heavy with a U, V or Y shape foot that makes the microscope stand stable on any flat surface
• Pillar


  A short piece of metal for supporting the rest of the microscope
• Arm or handle


  A curved metal for holding the microscope
• Inclination joint


  A joint between the arm and the pillar that allows possible tilting of the upper part of the microscope
• Body tube


  Tubular part attached to the body and bears the upper arm
• Revolving or rotating nosepiece


  Structure that facilitates the changing of objectives in focus
• Dust shield


  A concave disc which protects the objective from dust
• Stage


  Platform with central aperture for the passage of reflected light from the mirror and where the slides to be observed are placed
• Mechanical stage


  Replaces the clips and is used in manipulation of slide
• Coaxial stage control

  Facilitates movement of the slide forward, backward or from left to right
• Light intensity control knob


  Regulates the intensity of light given by the microscope
• Focusing mechanism


  Used to raise or lower the stage to get right image of the specimen
• Course focus knob


  A larger knob attached on the arm to raise or lower the stage when the LPO objective is in focus
• Fine focus knob


  A smaller knob also attached to the arm used for delicate focusing of the specimen under the HPO and OIO