Microscope Parts and Functions

Flashcards about the parts of a microscope and their function based on lecture notes.

What are microscopes?

Instruments used to visualize minute objects by magnifying them and giving a contrasting image.

What primary component enables microscopes to magnify objects?

Lenses with different magnification powers.

What are the two general types of parts in a microscope?

Structural parts and optical parts.

What are the three structural parts of a microscope?

Head, arm, and base.

What is the main function of the head of a microscope?

Connects the eyepiece lens to the objective lens.

What is the primary function of the arm of a microscope?

Supports the head of the microscope.

What is the main function of the base of a microscope?

Provides stability for the microscope.

What is the general function of the optical parts of a microscope?

Used to view, magnify, and produce an image from a specimen.

What is the eyepiece (ocular lens)?

The lens closest to the viewer's eye.

What is the purpose of the diopter adjustment?

To change focus on one eyepiece in a binocular microscope and correct vision differences.

What is the nose piece?

Houses all the objective lenses and can be rotated to change magnification.

What are the objective lenses?

Lenses closest to the specimen that magnify the image for the first time.

What are the common magnification powers of objective lenses?

4X, 10X, 40X, and 100X

What is the function of adjustment knobs?

To focus the microscope on the specimen.

What is the purpose of the fine adjustment knob?

Used for fine adjustment, moving the stage up or down very slowly to sharpen the image.

What is the purpose of the coarse adjustment knob?

Used for focusing the image under low power magnification by moving the stage up or down rapidly.

What is the stage?

The section where the specimen is placed for viewing.

What is the purpose of the stage control knobs?

Used to move the stage mechanically.

What is the aperture?

A hole in the microscope stage through which light reaches the specimen.

What is a microscopic illuminator?

A light source for illuminating the specimen.

What is the function of the condenser?

Lenses that collect and focus light from the illuminator onto the specimen.

What is the primary role of the diaphragm (iris)?

To control the amount of light that reaches the specimen.

What is the function of the condenser focus knob?

Moves the condenser up or down, controlling the focus of light on the specimen.

What does the rack stop do?

Controls how far the stage should go, preventing damage to the specimen and objective lens.