Microscope: Parts and Usage

A Microscope is an instrument which produces enlarged images of microscopic objects which are not visible by the naked eye. Moreover, with the help of a microscope, we can see living organisms that would otherwise have been impossible to study by Biology students. In this article, we have explained in-depth the parts and usage of microscopes, which will help CBSE Class 9 students understand and use a microscope effectively.

What is a Microscope?

Microscope is an instrument which helps to see microscopic objects that are not visible by the naked eye. In Greek, the word microscope comes from the words ‘mikros’, meaning small, and ‘skopein’, meaning to see. Microscope was invented in the 16th century and since then, it has revolutionized science by studying microscopic organisms. A microscope can achieve high magnification levels that can view small organisms and distinguish their structural differences. Every Biology student is aware of the optical microscope, which focuses light through a lens. Students can find the usages and different parts of a microscope in this article below.

Usage of Microscope

A microscope is used for various scientific purposes. Biologists, scientists, and students use microscope to further their knowledge and to study microorganisms and determine their structural differences and properties. The usage of microscope are as follows:

• Analysing Tissue: A microscope is used by histologists to study and analyse the tissues.
• Studying Forensic Data: Forensic Scientist uses a microscope to study evidence or things that are not visible by the naked eye.
• To Study the Ecosystem: A microscope is used to monitor and keep a check on the number of microorganisms present in the ecosystem.
• Exploring Cell Proteins: Microscope has helped scientists to study and identify the function of proteins in cells.
• Examining Structure of an Atom: Powerful microscopes such as atomic force microscopes are used to study individual atoms and to determine their properties and chemical characteristics.

Parts of a Microscope

Students can have a look at the structural parts and the optics parts of a microscope from the image given below.

Structural Part of a Microscope

There are three structural part of a microscope and they are as follows:

1. Head: The head is also known as the body. This is part of the microscope which holds the optical parts in the upper part of the body.
2. Base: The base acts as the support for microscopes and also carries the microscopic illuminators.
3. Arms: The arm of a microscope connects the base and the head of the microscope along with the eyepiece tube. Also, some high quality microscopes have more articulated arms with more than one joint which allows more movement for the head of the microscope.

Optical Parts of a Microscope

The optical parts of a microscope are as follows:

1. Eyepiece: This part of the microscope is also known as the ocular which is used to look through the microscope. The standard magnification of an ocular is 10x with an optional eyepiece which ranges from 5x to 30x.
2. Eyepiece Tube: The eyepiece tube is the eyepiece holder just above the objective lens. Moreover, in some microscopes the eyepiece is flexible and can be rotated for maximum visualisation such as in binoculars.
3. Objective Lenses: These lenses are used for specimen visualisation and have a magnification of 40x. There are 4 lenses and each has its own powers.
4. Nose Piece: It is also known as a revolving turret and holds the objective lenses.
5. Adjustment Knobs: The adjustment knobs are used to focus the microscope and there are two types, the fine adjustment knobs and coarse adjustment knobs.
6. Stage: The stage part holds the specimen and the stages are movable which are moved with the help of mechanical knobs.
7. Aperture: This part holds the stage through which light is transmitted to the source to the stage.
8. Microscopic Illuminator: This part is located in the base of the microscope and is the light source of the microscope.
9. Condenser: Condensers are lenses which are used to collect and focus light from the illuminator into the specimen.
10. Diaphragm: It is also known as the iris. The diaphragm is located under the stage and is used to control the amount of light that reaches the specimen.
11. Condenser Focus Knob: The knob is used to move the condenser up or down and control the focus of light.
12. Abbe Condenser: This type of condenser is used in high quality microscopes and allows very high magnification of above 400x.
13. The rack stop: This part is used to prevent the objective lens from going too close to the specimen.

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