Microscope Parts & Function

Focuses the image from the objective into your eye. Contains a magnifying lens that has a magnification power of 10x. If a microscope has only one ocular lens it is called a monocular and if it has two ocular lenses it is called a binocular.

Connects the eyepiece with the objective lens.

Magnify the specimen viewed. They are marked to indicate their degree of magnification; Low power = 4x medium power = 10x High Power = 40x and highest power = 100x

Houses the objectives and allows the objectives to be rotated into place above the specimen.

Connects to the base and supports the eyepiece tube and nosepiece of the microscope. It is used to carry the microscope.

This hole in the stage allows for the base light to reach the stage.

This is the flat surface on which you place the specimen slide to be observed.

Move the specimen slide around (left/right and up/down)

Moves the eyepiece tube or stage up or down and brings the specimen into focus. Must be used with the 4x objective lens!

Provides finer control of the focus mechanism. Must be used with the 1ox, 40x, and 100x objective lenses.

Collects and focuses the light (concentrates the light rays) from the light source onto the specimen.

Moves the condenser up or down to control the lighting focus on the specimen.

Controls the amount of light reaching the specimen.

Enhance the quality of the light transmitted from the light source.

Holds the filter in place.

Provides light and illuminates the specimen on the stage. Can be controlled by a dimmer switch or an on/off switch.

Supports the microscope and houses the light source.

Thin flat rectangular piece of glass about 1mm thick that holds the specimen to be observed under the microscope.

Thin square sheet of glass that is placed over the specimen to keep it in place on the slide.