Introduction to Microscope

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the history, classifications, and specific parts of the compound light microscope based on lecture materials.

Zacharias Jansen

The individual who built the first microscope in the $1590s$.

Robert Hooke

The first man to observe a tiny roomlike structure in $1665$.

Anton Van Leeuwenhoek

Known as the Father of microscopy, active circa $1674$.

Compound Light Microscope

A device for forming a magnified image of a small object or organism.

Optical Parts

One of the two general classifications of microscope parts, which is further divided into illuminating and magnifying parts.

Mechanical Parts

One of the two general classifications of microscope parts including the base, arm, and adjustment knobs.

Mirror / Light source

An illuminating part found below the stage with a concave or flat surface used to gather direct light to illuminate an object.

Iris Diaphragm

An illuminating part that controls the amount of light reaching the specimen.

Scanner

The shortest objective lens, marked as $3\times$, $4\times$, or $5\times$.

Low power objective

Shorter lenses marked $10\times$ or $12\times$ that serve to bring the object into focus.

High power objective

Lenses marked $40\times$, $43\times$, or $60\times$ that serve to produce a bigger image of the object for further study.

Oil Immersion Objective

An objective marked $97\times$ or $100\times$ used to view bacteria, very small protists, and fungi.

Eyepiece / Ocular

A magnifying part found in the drawtube used for further magnification of the object.

Base

A heavy Y-shaped or U-shaped foot on which the microscope stands.

Inclination Joint

The joint between the pillar and arm used to tilt the upper part of the microscope.

Arm

A short curved handle used for carrying the microscope.

Body tube

The mechanical part attached to the arm that bears the lenses.

Draw tube

The upper portion of the upper lenses.

Coarse adjustment knob

A screw geared to the tube used to bring the object into focus.

Fine adjustment knob

A screw found below the coarse adjustment knob used for delicate focusing.

Stage

A platform with a central aperture and two clips where the specimen is being studied.

Stage Clips

Two clips located on the stage used to hold the specimen being studied.