Parts of the Microscope
In order to operate a microscope properly and effectively, it is necessary to have an
understanding of some of the various parts of the microscope and their functions. We have two kinds of compound light microscopes at
STCC for students to use-- binocular and monocular microscopes. They are shown in
Figures 1 and 2 (see bottom of page), and their parts are labeled. You will need to figure out the different parts of
the microscope you purchased. Use the video and the table below to help you do that.
Your microscope has all the parts listed in this table.
| Microscope Part |
Function |
| Arm |
Supports the body tube and lenses. Use
the arm to carry your microscope. |
| Base |
Supports the entire microscope. Broad
and heavy, the base gives the instrument stability. |
| Ocular |
The lens in the upper part of the microscope. Monocular
microscopes have one ocular, while binocular
microscopes have two oculars. |
| Body Tube |
Holds the ocular at one end and the nosepiece at the other. A prism housed in the body tube helps to reflect
light towards the eye. |
| Revolving Nose Piece |
Located at the lower end of the body tube.
A revolving device that holds the objectives. |
| Objective Lenses |
Located on the revolving nosepiece. There
are typically three objective lenses on a toy microscope.
Only one objective may be used at a time. The
selected lens is rotated into position by
turning the nosepiece. |
| Stage |
The horizontal platform upon which the slide rests. |
| Substage Condenser |
Lens found beneath the stage that concentrates light before it passes
through the specimen to be viewed. Typically has to be turned to activate the light
on a toy microscope. |
| Light |
Provides illumination of the specimen.
Typically located within the condenser region of a toy microscope. |
| Focus Adjustment Knob |
Located on either side of the arm. Moves
the stage (or body tube) up or down to the correct distance from the objective for
viewing. Your scopes will have just one kind of focus knob (on each
side of the microscope)... the ones we have at STCC have both
coarse and fine focus knobs. |
Click here to see Figure 1, of a
monocular, compound, light microscope.
Click here
to see Figure 2, of a binocular,
compound, light microscope.
