Microscopy Lab Test – Vocabulary Flashcards

A set of 47 vocabulary flashcards covering microscope parts, functions, handling, and optical principles for the Microscopy Lab Test.

Significance of the microscope invention

Without it we would not even know microorganisms exist, making it the most important advance in microbiology.

Compound Light Microscope

Type of microscope that uses visible light and more than one lens to magnify specimens.

Dissecting Microscope

Low-magnification microscope used for viewing larger, three-dimensional specimens.

Scanning Microscope

Microscope that moves a beam across a specimen’s surface to create an image (e.g., SEM).

Meaning of “Light” (in microscope name)

Indicates that light transmits the image to your eye.

Meaning of “Compound” (in microscope name)

Refers to the microscope having more than one lens system.

Ocular Lens Location

Situated in the eyepiece of the microscope.

Ocular Lens Magnification

Enlarges the image 10×.

Number of objective lenses (student microscopes)

Three separate objective lenses are mounted on the nosepiece.

Low-Power Objective Magnification

4× power (40× total with the ocular lens).

Medium-Power Objective Magnification

10× power (100× total with the ocular lens).

High-Power Objective Magnification

40× power (400× total with the ocular lens).

Total Magnification

Calculated by multiplying objective magnification by ocular magnification.

Purpose of Oil Immersion Objective

Provides enhanced color, increased clarity, and the highest magnification.

Reason for the name “Oil Immersion”

Requires a drop of oil placed on the slide into which the lens is carefully lowered.

Careful lowering of oil lens

Prevents breakage of the objective lens and slide.

Resolution

Ability of a microscope to clearly distinguish one object from another.

Proper microscope carrying

Grasp the arm, place the other hand under the base, and hold close to your body.

Dust on eyepiece procedure

Clean only with lens paper to avoid scratches.

Reason to use only lens paper

Regular paper can easily scratch delicate lenses.

Removing hardened oil

Wipe the oil immersion lens with lens paper moistened with lens cleaner.

Steps before storing microscope

Switch to low power, lower the stage fully, place in cabinet, and plug in to charge.

Microscope malfunction action

Immediately inform your instructor.

Starting power for examination

Always begin observing a specimen under low power.

Initial stage positioning

Start at the highest stage position and gradually lower while focusing.

Centering specimen under low power

Place the specimen in the center of the field of view before increasing magnification.

Initial focusing knob

Coarse adjustment knob is used first under low power.

Sharpening focusing knob

Fine adjustment knob brings the image into sharp focus.

Coarse knob use restriction

Never use coarse adjustment under medium or high power.

Risk of using coarse knob on high power

Can crash the objective into the slide, damaging both lens and specimen.

Image inversion (letter “e”)

Image appears upside-down and reversed when viewed through the microscope.

Left-right image movement

Moving the slide left makes the image shift right and vice-versa.

Toward-away image movement

Moving the slide away from you makes the image move toward you and vice-versa.

Body Tube

Separates the ocular and objective lenses; blocks stray light.

Revolving Nosepiece

Holds objective lenses and allows switching between magnifications.

Low-Power Objective Function

Used to locate and focus the image initially at 40× total magnification.

Oil Immersion Objective Function

Increases magnification to 100× objective (1000× total with ocular).

High-Power Objective Function

Allows observation of specimens at 400× total magnification.

Stage

Platform that supports the microscope slide being examined.

Stage Clips

Hold the slide securely in place on the stage.

Diaphragm

Controls the amount of light passing through the stage opening.

Illuminator

Built-in light source that sends light through the specimen for viewing.

Coarse Adjustment Knob Function

Allows for initial, rapid focus of the image under low power.

Fine Adjustment Knob Function

Permits precise, sharp focusing of the image.

Arm

Supports the body tube, stage, and lenses; used as a carrying handle.

Base

Bottom support of the microscope that stabilizes the instrument.

Charging the microscope

After use, the microscope should be plugged in so its light source battery recharges.