Microscope Topics

Various parts of a Compound Light Microscope

Compound Light Microscopes (CLM)

Used to light up individual cells using visible light. The specimen must be mounted on the glass and are viewed through the two lens system. The specimen can be living or nonliving. 2D images are made.

PARTS OF CLM - Illuminator

Source of light

PARTS OF CLM: Rheostat

Controls intensity of light

PARTS OF CLM: Condenser

Gathers light from illuminator and concentrates it on the specimen

PARTS OF CLM: Iris Diaphragm Lever

Widens and narrows a hole to control how much light passes through the condenser.

PARTS OF CLM: Side Clip

Holds slide in place on stage

PARTS OF CLM: Stage

Flat surface in which slide containing specimen is placed.

PARTS OF CLM: X/Y Controls

Moves the stage in x direction (side to side) and y direction (forward and backward)

PARTS OF CLM: Objectives

Series of lenses with varying magnification power

PARTS OF CLM: Revolving nosepiece

Ring that is turned to switch objectives

PARTS OF CLM: Coarse Adjustment

Large knobs that move stage up and down (only with 4x objective)

PARTS OF CLM: Fine adjustment

Smaller knobs that moves stage more gradually to sharpen focus on specimen

PARTS OF CLM: Oculars

The part you look through. One can focus on a specific part of the specimen and the other can provide extra focus.

PARTS OF CLM: Prism

Where light travels before being directed to oculars.

What is the path of light ?

Light begins in the illuminators before traveling to the condenser, where the iris diaphragms control how much of the concentrated light moves through. The light makes it way to the specimen before traveling up through the objectives and into the prism. The light ends its travels at the oculars.

Depth of focus

Thickness of the object that is in sharp focus at any given time.

Parafocal

When an image stays focused when switching objectives

Paracenter

When an image stays centered when switching objectives.

Which components are needed to adjust light intensity?

Rheostat and iris diaphragm

Dissection/Stereoscope

Used for dissection of large specimen. Visible light is used to view the images. Specimen can be living or nonliving. 3D images are created.

Confocal Fluorescence

Laser beams are used to view fluorescently labeled cells or structures. Cells must be labeled and nonliving. 2D and 3D images are formed.

Scanning electron Microscopes (SEM)

Electron beams are used to create images of specimen’s surfaces. Specimen must be nonliving and coated in gold. 3D images are generated.

Transmission Electron (TEM)

Electron beams pass through specimen and provide view of internal structures. Specimen must be nonliving and cut into thin slices. 2D images are created.