Compound Microscope Labeling - Notes
Name
Period
Terms
Objective Lens
Microscope Condenser Microscope Resolution _______________________________________________________________________________
Iris diaphragm - ___________________________________________________________________________
Field of view - ____________________________________________________________________________
Prepared slide - ___________________________________________________________________________
Temporary wet mount slide - ________________________________________________________________
Depth of field - ____________________________________________________________________________
Parfocality - ______________________________________________________________________________
10 Steps in microscope use –
IMPORTANT TERMS:
Ocular Lens the lens that one looks into; Magnification on Swift Microscope is 10x
Objective Lens The lens closest to the object- provides magnification 4x 10x and 40X
Microscope Condenser –the lens that concentrates light from the illumination source
Microscope Resolution The shortest distance between two points on a specimen/object that can still be distinguished by
the observer or camera system- think of this as the clarity.
Iris diaphragm - _an opening below the stage that allows for the adjustment of light
Field of view - __the diameter of the circle; what you see
Prepared slide - _microscope slide sets that have been previously mounted by a professional and come ready for viewing.
Temporary wet mount slide – The specimen is suspended in a drop of water between the coverslip and the microscope
slide. Generally, made by the user for temporary use.
Depth of field - _the distance between the nearest and the furthest objects that give an image in focus
object___________________________________________________________________________
Parfocality – objective lens stays in focus when the magnification is changed.
Steps in using the microscope
1) turn the nosepiece to the lowest objective lens (4x). 2) Place the microscope slide on the stage and fasten it with the
stage clips 3) Adjust the stage so the object is beneath the stage 4) Look through the eyepiece and bring the image into
focus (further adjusting of the stage may be necessary to center the image. 5) Adjust the condenser and the light
intensity for the greatest amount of light. 6) Use the fine adjustment knob to bring into clearer focus 7) If necessary,
move to the next objective lens for increased magnification 8) Repeat if necessary. Once you are in 10X or 40X
objective do not use the coarse adjustment focus knob- this can scratch the lenses!!!. Repeat the steps if you cannot
find the image before calling Mrs. Thennis to help. 9) If required draw the specimen following microscope drawing
rules.
10) When finished lower the stage to the lowest position, remove the slide and put it away. Place the objective lens into
the 4X position and unplug (and wrap) and cover the microscope.