Microscopes

Front 1

Eyepiece or Ocular

Back 1

The part of the microscope you look into to see an image

Front 2

Body Tube

Back 2

Long skinny tube that holds the eyepiece above the microscope

Front 3

Nosepiece

Back 3

Holds the two or three objective lenses - rotates in a circle allowing you to choose different lenses

Front 4

Objective Lenses

Back 4

There may be two or three of these mounted on the nosepiece. Each one magnifies a different power.

Front 5

Arm

Back 5

Holds the upper portion of the microscope above the stage

Front 6

Coarse adjustment knob

Back 6

Moves the upper portion of the microscope up or down so you can focus on the slide.

Front 7

Fine Adjustment Knob

Back 7

To bring your slide into focus more clearly - not all microscopes have one of these

Front 8

Slide

Back 8

The thin piece of glass that holds your specimens under the lens is called a slide.

Front 9

Stage

Back 9

Where you place the slide. It is the large flat area with a hole in the middle directly under the objective lense

Front 10

Stage Clips

Back 10

Hold the microscope slide in place.

Front 11

Aperture

Back 11

The hole in the middle of the stage. It allows light to come up from behind the object you are observing so that it's easier to see.

Front 12

Diaphragm

Back 12

A round disc with several different sized holes in it. It allows you to chage the amount of light that comes up through the aperture.

Front 13

Mirror or Lamp

Back 13

Located between the legs of the base. Shines light up through the aperture and makes it easier to see the object on the slide.

Front 14

Base

Back 14

Holds the whole microscope up. Usually consists of two legs attached to the bottom of the arm.

Front 15

Legs

Back 15

The two things that hold the microscope in place. Together they are called the base.