Parts of Compound Microscope
Magnifying Parts
- Ocular lens—magnifies the image formed by the objectives. It is attached to the upper end of the microscope and is marked 5× or 10×.
Illuminating Parts
The illuminating parts are used to supply light to the slide on the stage. The following are these parts:
- Mirror — collects and reflects light from an external light source up into the microscope. It has adjustable sides that may be plain or concave.
- Numerical aperture — measures the microscope’s ability to gather light and resolve fine details of a specimen at a fixed distance.
- Condenser — directs the maximum amount of light upon an object.
- Iris diaphragm — a flat disk located beneath the condenser. It has an adjustable opening or aperture that may be reduced or enlarged to any size by adjusting its lever.
Mechanical Parts
The mechanical parts are used to support and move parts of the microscope. The following are these parts:
- Arm — the bent or curved structure that supports the stage and body tube.
- Stage — the platform where the slide is placed. It has stage clips that hold the slide with the specimen in place.
- Stage clips — hold the prepared slide firmly on the stage.
- Body tube — holds the draw tube and connects the eyepiece to the objectives.
