Lab Activity No. 1: Microscopy

Vocabulary flashcards covering the key concepts, components, and lens systems for Lab Activity No. 1: Microscopy for the Academic Year 2025-2026.

Microorganisms

Microscopic living organisms that are too small to be observed with the unaided eye.

Microscopy

The science and technique of using microscopes to observe objects that are not visible to the naked eye.

Microscope

An optical or electronic instrument designed to magnify small objects, enabling their detailed observation and analysis.

Optical microscopes

Instruments that utilize light rays and lenses to magnify specimens.

Electronic microscopes

Instruments that employ electron beams and magnetic fields to generate highly magnified images.

Simple microscope

Consists of a single lens or a system of lenses acting as a single lens to magnify an object.

Compound microscope

A microscope that contains two lens systems—the objective lens and the ocular lens—that work together to magnify the specimen.

Objective lens

Located on the revolving turret, this lens produces an inverted real image and is commonly available in magnifications of $10\times$, $40\times$, and $100\times$.

Ocular lens (Eyepiece)

The topmost part of the microscope through which the viewer looks, typically providing $10\times$ magnification and further enlarging the image from the objective lens.

Total magnification

Determined by multiplying the magnification of the objective lens by that of the ocular lens.

Brightfield microscope

Also known as the compound light microscope, it uses visible light to illuminate a specimen, producing a dark image against a bright background.

Diopter Adjustment

Adjusts the focus of one eyepiece to compensate for differences in vision between the eyes.

Body Tube (Head)

Connects the eyepiece to the objective lenses and maintains proper alignment of the optical system.

Revolving Nosepiece

Located above the stage, it holds and rotates the objective lenses into position.

Scanning Objective

An objective lens that typically provides $4\times$ magnification.

Low-Power Objective (LPO)

An objective lens that typically provides $10\times$ magnification.

High-Power Objective (HPO)

An objective lens that typically provides $40\times$ magnification.

Oil Immersion Objective

An objective lens that typically provides $100\times$ magnification and necessitates the use of immersion oil.

Arm

Connects the body tube to the base and serves as the carrying handle of the microscope.

Coarse Adjustment Knob

Brings the specimen into general focus by moving the stage or objective lens rapidly.

Fine Adjustment Knob

Fine-tunes the focus to produce a sharper and more detailed image of the specimen.

Stage

The flat platform where the microscope slide containing the specimen is placed.

Stage Clips

Hold the microscope slide securely in place on the stage.

Stage Control Knobs

Move the stage left, right, forward, and backward for precise positioning of the specimen.

Aperture

The opening in the center of the stage that allows light to pass through the specimen.

Illuminator

The light source that provides the light necessary for viewing the specimen.

Iris Diaphragm

Regulates the amount of light passing through the condenser and specimen.

Condenser

Concentrates and focuses light onto the specimen for improved illumination and image clarity.

Base

Supports the microscope and houses the illuminator and other electrical components.

Brightness Adjustment Control (Rheostat)

Regulates the intensity of light produced by the illuminator for optimal specimen visibility.

Lens paper

Material used to clean all optical surfaces of the microscope.