1. Parts of a Compound Microscope
So EASY a KID could use it!
2. Base
• The bottom of
the microscope,
used for support
• Hold this part
with one hand
when carrying a
microscope
←
3. Light Source (or Mirror)
• Projects or
reflects the light
so the specimen
is easier to see
←
4. Stage
• The flat platform
where you place
your slides.
• The hole in it is
called the
condenser, which
← allows the light
to shine through
5. Stage Clip
• Shiny clips on
the top of the
stage
• Holds a slide in
place
←
6. Arm
• Supports the
tube and
connects it to the
base
• The part you hold
← when you carry
the microscope
7. Coarse Adjustment
• Large, round knob
on the side of the
microscope
→ • Either moves the
stage or the top
part of the
microscope up
and down
8. Fine Adjustment
• Small, round
knob on the side
of the microscope
• Used to fine tune
→ the focus after
using the coarse
adjustment knob.
9. Eyepiece
→ • The lens at the
top that you
look through.
• 10X power
10. Body Tube
• The long tube that
holds the
→ eyepiece and
connects the
objective
11. Nosepiece
• Rotating part of
the microscope at
the bottom of the
body tube.
← • It holds the
objective lenses
12. High Power Objective
• The longest
objective lens
• The highest
magnification
→ • 40X lens
(40X x 10X =
400X
magnification)
13. Low Power Objective
• The medium
length objective
lens
• The medium
magnification
← • 10X lens
(10X x 10X = 100X
magnification)
14. Scanning Lens
• The shortest
length objective
lens
• Use 1st to focus on
object, then
switch to higher
power
• 4X lens
(10X x 4X = 40X
magnification)
15. Disk Diaphragm
• Controls the
amount of light
going through the
condenser (hole)
in the stage
→