Lab Manual - eScience Labs

Lab 4: Introducon to the Microscope
Arm: Connects the lower base and the upper head of the microscope (also used to carry the
microscope).
Head: Supports both the ocular lens and the revolving nosepiece.
Ocular Lens (eyepiece): The lenses on the microscope typically have a magnificaon of 10X. If
your microscope has a pointer, which is used to indicate a specific area of the specimen,
it is aached here.
Types of Microscopes
Monocular Microscope: Has a single ocular eyepiece.
Binocular Microscope: Has two ocular eyepieces.
How to Use a Microscope
1. Always carry a microscope with one hand securely around the arm and the other underneath
the base for support.
2. Place the microscope on a table, plug it in, and turn on the light source (or adjust the
mirror as necessary).
Note: When cleaning a microscope, do not use paper towels or cloths as this will
scratch the lens. To preserve the microscope, use only lens paper that will not scratch
the opcs.
3. To prevent damage to the lens or slides, always start and end with the scanning power
objecve lens (the shortest one) above the light source.
4. Place your slide on the stage and secure it with the stage clips. It is helpful to visually
orient the slide so the object to be viewed is directly in the middle of the opening in
the stage where the light is directed up toward the slide.
5. Turn the course adjustment knob to bring the stage all the way up to the scanning
power objecve lens. While looking through the lens, use the course adjustment knob
to slowly lower the stage unl the specimen comes into focus.
Note: When using a binocular microscope, adjust the distance between the two
oculars unl only one object is seen. Record this distance and set your microscope
to this distance every me you use it. If someone else uses the microscope, the
lenses may be re-adjusted for their eyes.
6. To adjust the light, open or close the diaphragm located over the light source. When
properly illuminated, the specimen should not be gray or exceponally bright.
43