Microscopy Lecture Review

Vocabulary flashcards focusing on compound brightfield microscope parts, optical formulas, relationships, and slide preparation procedures.

Brightfield

A type of microscopy where light shines directly through the sample.

Compound Microscope

A microscope that uses $2$ lenses to magnify the specimen.

Total Magnification

Calculated using the formula: $\text{Total Magnification} = \text{ocular} \times \text{objective}$

Ocular Lens

The lens you look through on a microscope, providing $10\times$ magnification.

Objective Lenses

Magnification lenses mounted on the revolving nosepiece, typically available in $4\times$, $10\times$, $40\times$, and $100\times$ powers.

Working Distance

The distance between the objective lens and the slide.

Microscope Field

The visible area seen through the microscope, which decreases as the working distance decreases (higher magnification).

Arm

The structural part of the microscope held when carrying it.

Base

The bottom platform that the microscope sits on.

Nosepiece

The revolving turret that rotates to switch between objective lenses.

Stage

The flat platform where specimen slides are placed.

Mechanical Stage Controller

Knobs used to control the movement of the stage clip holding the slide.

Mechanical Stage Clip

A clip on the stage that holds the slide securely in position.

Coarse Focus Knob

Knob used to adjust the height of the stage for initial visual focusing.

Fine Focus Knob

Knob used to make precise adjustments to increase image clarity.

Condenser

A lens structure below the stage that condenses light into a concentrated beam on the specimen.

Rheostat

A dial that controls the intensity of the light emitted by the light source.

Resolution

The degree of image clarity; it has an inverse relationship with magnification due to light refraction.

Parfocal

Refers to lenses that remain in focus when switching between different magnifications.

Wet Mount

A slide preparation using an organism and a drop of water with a coverslip to protect dry lenses ($4\times$ to $40\times$).

Fixed and Stained Slides

Slides prepared by spreading culture, air drying, heat fixing through a flame, and applying dye to provide contrast against the background.