Microscope Notes

Let’s get to know the Microscope!

Science – 7th Grade

Parts of a Microscope1. Body Tube- skinny tube attached to the

eye piece that allows light to shine from the light source.

2. Nose Piece- rotates the objective lenses 3. Objective Lens - used to magnify the

specimen on the stage. – Lowest Power (shortest lens = 4x)4. Objective Lens –

Medium power (middle lens = 10X)5. Objective Lens -▫ High power (longest lens = 40X)

Parts of a Microscope6. Stage Clips- holds the slide in place7. Diaphragm- thin disk below the stage

that adjusts the amount of light needed.8. Light Source- provides light to see the

object.9. Eye Piece/Ocular- the piece that is

looked through, has a power of 10.

Parts of a Microscope

10. Arm- attaches the upper portion of the microscope to the base.

10a. Aperture- hole in the stage that allows light to pass through the specimen.

11. Stage- the slide is placed here.

Parts of a Microscope•11. Stage- the slide is placed here.•12. Course Adjustment- large knob that

brings the stage closer to the objectives. Focuses the specimen.

•13. Fine Adjustment- smaller knob that fine tunes the image.

•14. Base – bottom portion that holds the entire microscope up.

Microscope Slide/Cover Slip

•14. Slide- the rectangular piece that holds the specimen.

•15. Cover Slip- the plastic square piece that covers the specimen.

Microscope Rules1. When carrying the microscope you must carry it

with the ARM and the BASE.2. The microscope must always be stored with the

lowest powered objective in place.3. When bringing an object into focus you must

use the lowest powered objective and the course adjustment.

4. ONLY use the FINE adjustment on the highest powered objective.

5. Lenses should only be cleaned with lens paper.6. The whole microscope must be kept away from

the edge of the lab table.

Creating a wet mount slide1. Obtain a slide2. Place the specimen on the center of the slide3. Place ONE or TWO drops of water ON the

specimen4. Take the corner of the cover slip and place it

near the drop of water and CAREFULLY lower the cover slip on to the water and specimen.

**IF you see perfectly round, white circles when looking through the eye piece THEN you are observing air bubbles

• Slides and cover slips may be cleaned with water and a paper towel.

Parts of a Microscope