Microscope Parts and Functions

Front

Eyepiece

Back

The part we look through that holds the upper lens; 10X magnification.

Front

Objectives

Back

Used to magnify the specimen (there are 3 objective lenses: scanning, low, and high power).

Front

Stage

Back

The location where the slide is placed for viewing.

Front

Light Source

Back

Provides light that passes upward through the condenser, the microscope slide, and the lenses.

Front

Condenser

Back

Used to adjust the amount of light passing through the microscope slide.

Front

Coarse Adjustment Knob

Back

Focuses the image under scanning objective lens and low power lens.

Front

Fine Adjustment Knob

Back

Sharpens the image under high magnification; used for final focusing under all three powers.

Front

X/Y Controls

Back

Used to move the stage left and right (x control) as well as up and down (y control).

Front

Field of View

Back

The area (it's a white circle when nothing is on the stage) you can see when you look through the eyepiece.

Front

Prepared Slides

Back

Specimens that are already on a glass slide, prepared by a company, ready to go for viewing.