Chapter 5, Lesson 2: How to Use a Microscope

Vocabulary flashcards covering the components, setup, slide preparation, focusing techniques, magnification properties, and image characteristics of a light microscope.

Microscope

A tool used to see very small (tiny) things that are not clearly visible to the eye.

Eyepiece lens

The lens on a microscope that we look through at the object we want to observe.

Tube

A cylinder that holds the eyepiece lens and connects it to the objective lenses.

Arm

A curved part used to carry the microscope.

Revolving nosepiece

The rotating part of the microscope on which the objective lenses are fixed.

Objective lenses

Lenses that magnify the image, each possessing a different magnification power than the other.

Stage

The flat surface where the prepared slide containing the object to be observed is placed.

Clips

Components used to hold the prepared slide containing the sample on the stage.

Adjustment knob

A knob used to move the stage up and down to clarify the view.

Reflector

A mirror that directs light towards the stage to make the view complete and bright.

Cover glass

The short and thin piece of glass slowly lowered from one side onto a slide so air bubbles do not get in.

Prepared slide

An assembly consisting of two pieces of glass: one long and thick glass slide holding the sample, and one short and thin cover glass.

Filter paper

Paper used to gently soak up extra water around the edges of the cover glass when making a prepared slide.

Low magnification

The initial observation setting where the view is wide and the image is bright, making it easier to find the object you want to observe.

High magnification

The observation setting where the view is narrow and the image is dark, used to see finer details of the object being observed.

Microscope image orientation

The orientation of an object viewed under a microscope, appearing upside down (from top to bottom) and left-to-right reversed.

Microscope magnification

The number of times the lens makes an object larger than its actual size, calculated by the formula: $\text{Microscope magnification} = \text{Eyepiece lens magnification} \times \text{Objective lens magnification}$.