Microscope Parts and Functions

Eyepiece—where you look into the microscope

Body Tube—light passes from the objective lens to the eyepiece through this part of the

microscope

Nosepiece—where the objective lenses are mounted

Objective lenses—there may be 2 or 3 of these mounted on the nosepiece. Each one magnifies a

different power

Arm—supports the entire upper portion of the microscope

Coarse Adjustment Knob—use this knob to begin focusing on your specimen

Fine Adjustment Knob—use this to fine-tune the image once your specimen comes into focus

Stage—this is where you place the slide for viewing

Stage clips—keep the slide from moving around on the stage

Aperture—opening on the stage that allows light through

Diaphragm—controls the amount of light that passes through the aperture

Mirror/Lamp—provides light to view the specimen

Base—supports the body of the microscope

TOTAL MAGNIFICATION: eyepiece power x objective power = total powerExample: 10 x 40 = 400 (looks 400 times larger)