Introduction to

Microscopes

A Brief History

Simple Glass Magnifiers

More than 500 years ago.

In 1600s, this simple microscope
allowed scientists to see cells and
bacteria
Problem: not enough
magnification

First Compound
Microscope

Developed at the beginning of the

1600's, by the Janssen brothers and
Galileo
Problem: images
were blurred and
had
colored halos

Simple Compound
Microscope

Invented in
1660s
Problem:
all images
had red or
blue
halos
around
them

1700 and 1800s

great improvement
in microscopes
Usually made of
brass (expensive)
Had a tripod for
support

Modern Compound
Microscope

1900s, started using iron

instead of brass (cheaper)
Only one eyepiece
(monocular)
Outside light source
reflected onto mirror
Very functional
Still used today

Latest Microscope

Better images
More
magnification
Better lighting
Easier to use
Now everyone,
at one time or
another, has
looked through
a microscope

How a Microscope Works

Convex Lenses are
curved glass used to
make microscopes
(and glasses etc.)
Convex Lenses
bend
light and focus
it in
one spot.

How a Microscope Works

Ocular Lens
(Magnifies Image)

Body Tube
(Image Focuses)

Objective Lens
(Gathers Light,
Magnifies
And Focuses Image
Inside Body Tube)

Bending Light: The objective (bottom) convex lens

magnifies and focuses (bends) the image inside the
body tube and the ocular convex (top) lens of a
microscope magnifies it (again).

Parts of a Compound
Microscope

Ocular Lens
Body Tube

Nose Piece
Arm
Objective
Lenses
Stage
Clips
Diaphragm

Stage
Coarse Adj.
Fine Adjustment

Light Source
Base

Skip to Magnification Section

Base

The bottom of
the
microscope,
used for
support
Hold this part
with one hand
when carrying
a microscope

Mirror

Reflects the
light so the
specimen is
easier to see

Stage

The flat
platform
where you
place your
slides.
It has a hole
in it so light
can shine
through

Clip

Shiny clips
on the top of
the stage
Holds a slide
in place

Arm

Supports the
tube and
connects it to
the base
The part you
hold when
you carry the
microscope

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

Fine Adjustment

Small, round
knob on the side
of the
microscope
Used to fine
tune the focus
after using the
coarse
adjustment
knob.

Eyepiece

The lens at
the top that
you look
through.
10X power

Body Tube

The long tube

that holds the
eyepiece and
connects the
objective

Nosepiece

Rotating part
of the
microscope at
the bottom of
the body tube.
It holds the
objective
lenses

High Power Objective

The longest
objective lens
The highest
magnification
40X lens
(40X x
10X = 400X
magnification)

Low Power Objective

The shortest
objective lens
The lowest
magnification
4X lens
(4X x 10X =
40X
magnification)

Mid Power Objective

The medium
length
objective lens
The medium
magnification
10X lens
(10X x 10X =
100X
magnification)

Diaphragm

Controls the
amount of
light going
through the
hole in the
stage