microscopes

eyepiece

magnifies the image; usually 10x

body tube

maintains correct distance between eyepiece and objectives

arm

supports the body tube; used to carry microscope

stage

supports a slide that contains the viewed specimen

coarse adjustment

moves the stage up and down in large increments to allow gross positioning and focusing of the objectives lens; use with scanning lens only.

fine adjustment

moves the stage lightly; to bring the image into sharp focus; use the low and high power objectives

light source (lamp or mirror)

provides light for viewing the image; shines light through object in compound light microscope

revolving nosepiece

holds the objectives and can be turned to change from one objectives to another

scanning lens

lowest power lens (shortest) used first to find objects

low-power objective

further magnifies image; usually 10x

high-power objective

further magnifies image; usually 40x

diaphragm

located under the stage, controls the amount of light allowed to pass through the object

base

supports the microscope; used to carry microscope