Microscope Parts, Function, and Care

Summary

This video demonstrates the parts and operation of a compound light microscope. It covers essential components like the arm, base, oculars, revolving nosepiece, stage, condenser, and light source. The video explains how to handle the microscope, adjust the magnification, move the stage, and control the light. Proper cleaning and maintenance techniques are also discussed, including the use of lens paper and lens cleaner. Finally, instructions on how to store the microscope correctly are provided to ensure its longevity.

Takeaways

• 🔬 The video demonstrates the parts and operation of a compound light microscope.
• 👁️ When picking up the microscope, hold the arm and support the base to ensure stability.
• 🔍 The oculars have a magnification of 10x and can be adjusted to fit the width of the eyes.
• 🔭 The microscope is equipped with three objectives with different magnifications: 10x, 40x, and 100x.
• 📏 The stage has a clamp for holding the slide and stage moving controls for precise specimen positioning.
• 🔧 The coarse and fine adjustments allow for quick and precise focusing of the specimen.
• 💡 The condenser, located under the stage, can be moved up and down, with the top position being optimal for most uses.
• 🌞 The iris diaphragm lever controls the amount of light passing through the condenser, affecting specimen visibility.
• 🔆 The light source's brightness can be adjusted with a dial, starting with low light for initial observation.
• 🧼 Proper cleaning of the microscope is essential, using lens paper for the oculars and objectives, and lens cleaner for oil removal.
• 🛡️ The microscope should be stored with the light turned off, the stage lowered, and the power cord wrapped around the base, with a dust cover if available.

Q & A

What is the correct way to pick up a compound light microscope?

Hold the arm and support the base to ensure stability when picking up the microscope.

What are the magnification powers of the oculars in the described microscope?

The oculars have a magnification of 10x.

How many different objectives does the microscope have, and what are their magnifications?

The microscope is equipped with three objectives: 10x, 40x, and 100x.

What is the purpose of the revolving nosepiece on the microscope?

The revolving nosepiece allows for the selection of different magnification lenses for examination.

What is the function of the stage on the microscope?

The stage is where the slide is placed for examination and has a clamp to hold it in place.

How does the stage moving control work on the microscope?

One control moves the stage back and forth, while the other moves it right and left.

What are the two types of adjustments available to move the stage vertically?

The coarse adjustment moves the stage quickly, while the fine adjustment moves it in smaller increments for precise focusing.

What is the role of the condenser in the microscope setup?

The condenser is positioned under the stage with a hole and helps to control the light passing through the specimen.

How can the amount of light passing through the condenser be controlled?

The iris diaphragm lever is used to control the amount of light that passes through the condenser.

What is the purpose of the light source and how is its brightness adjusted?

The light source illuminates the specimen, and its brightness is adjusted by a dial on the side of the microscope.

What are the recommended steps for cleaning and storing the microscope after use?

Clean the oculars and objectives with lens paper, remove any oil with lens cleaner if necessary, turn the light down, turn off the power, rotate the nosepiece to the low power objective, lower the stage, wrap the power cord, and cover with a dust cover if available.

Outlines

00:00

🔬 Introduction to Compound Light Microscope Setup

The video script begins with an introduction to the parts and operation of a compound light microscope. It emphasizes the importance of holding the arm and supporting the base when picking up the microscope. The oculars, which have a 10x magnification, are adjustable to fit the viewer's eyes. The microscope is equipped with three objectives of varying magnifications: 10x, 40x, and 100x. The stage, which is used to hold the slide, includes a clamp and stage moving controls for precise specimen positioning. The focus is adjusted using coarse and fine adjustments, and the condenser, which can be moved up and down, is crucial for light control. The iris diaphragm lever manages the light intensity, and the light source is controlled by a switch and a dial for brightness adjustment. The script also provides instructions on how to start using the microscope with a low light setting and the lowest power objective, and concludes with a detailed cleaning and storage routine, including the use of lens paper and lens cleaner for oil removal, and the proper way to store the microscope with its dust cover.

Keywords

💡Compound Light Microscope

A compound light microscope is an optical instrument used to magnify small objects. It is called 'compound' because it uses multiple lenses to achieve higher magnification. In the video, the microscope is the central tool being demonstrated, with its parts and operation being the main focus of the tutorial.

💡Oculars

Oculars, also known as eyepieces, are the lenses through which the viewer looks to see the magnified image. In the script, it is mentioned that the oculars have a magnification of 10x and can be adjusted to fit the width of the viewer's eyes, which is crucial for comfortable observation.

💡Revolving Nosepiece

The revolving nosepiece is a part of the microscope that holds different objective lenses. It allows the user to switch between lenses of varying magnifications. The script specifies that the microscope is outfitted with three objectives, each with a different magnification, which are selectable through the nosepiece.

💡Magnification

Magnification refers to the process of making an object or an image appear larger than it is. The video script discusses different levels of magnification provided by the oculars and the objectives (10x, 40x, and 100x), which are essential for observing objects at various scales.

💡Stage

The stage is the flat platform on the microscope where the specimen is placed for observation. The script describes a clamp on the stage for holding the slide and stage moving controls for precise manipulation of the specimen during examination.

💡Stage Moving Controls

These controls allow the user to move the stage, and thus the specimen, in different directions to find the area of interest. The script mentions one control for moving the stage back and forth, and another for moving it right and left, which are vital for navigating the specimen under the microscope.

💡Coarse and Fine Adjustment

Coarse and fine adjustments are mechanisms for focusing the microscope. The coarse adjustment allows for larger, quicker movements of the stage to bring the specimen into rough focus, while the fine adjustment makes smaller, precise movements for detailed focusing. The script explains their use for focusing the specimen under the microscope.

💡Condenser

The condenser is a lens system below the stage that concentrates light onto the specimen. It is mentioned in the script that the condenser can be moved up and down, with the top position being optimal for most applications, which helps in achieving proper illumination for viewing.

💡Iris Diaphragm

The iris diaphragm is a mechanism that controls the amount of light passing through the condenser. It is likened to the pupil of the eye, adjusting to let in more or less light as needed. The script describes a lever that operates the iris diaphragm, which is essential for managing the lighting conditions for optimal viewing.

💡Light Source

The light source is the component of the microscope that provides illumination for the specimen. The script mentions a switch on the front of the microscope to turn on the light source and a dial on the side to adjust its brightness, which is important for achieving the right lighting conditions for observation.

💡Lens Paper and Lens Cleaner

Lens paper and lens cleaner are used for cleaning the microscope lenses and other optical components. The script instructs on using lens paper to wipe off the oculars and objectives, and lens cleaner for removing oil if the microscope was used with oil immersion, which is crucial for maintaining the clarity and longevity of the microscope's lenses.

💡Dust Cover

A dust cover is a protective cover used to shield the microscope when not in use. The script suggests putting on the dust cover after wrapping the power cord around the microscope's base, which helps in keeping the microscope clean and protected from dust and damage.

Highlights

Demonstration of a compound light microscope's parts and operation.

Proper handling by holding the arm and supporting the base.

Adjustable oculars with a 10x magnification for eye-width fitting.

Revolving nosepiece with three objectives: 10x, 40x, and 100x magnifications.

Stage with a clamp for holding slides.

Stage moving controls for precise specimen positioning.

Coarse and fine adjustments for focusing the specimen.

Condenser positioning for optimal light control.

Iris diaphragm lever to regulate light intensity.

Light source operation with a front switch and brightness dial.

Starting with low light and the lowest power objective for initial use.

Cleaning the microscope with lens paper and lens cleaner.

Removing oil with lens cleaner if necessary.

Proper storage by turning off the light, adjusting the nosepiece, and lowering the stage.

Wrapping the power cord and using a dust cover for protection.

Importance of starting with the lowest power objective for initial observation.

Adjustment of light source brightness for different applications.

Transcripts

in this video I'm going to demonstrate

the parts and operation of a compound

light microscope

so this is the arm and the base whenever

you pick up the microscope make sure you

hold the arm and support the base

at the top we have the oculars and they

can be adjusted out and in to fit the

width of your eye the oculars have a

magnification of 10x

down here is the revolving nosepiece

each of the lenses you see on the

revolving nosepiece has a different

magnification this microscope is

outfitted with three objectives a 10x a

40 X and a 100x

below the nosepiece is the stage on this

stage there is a clamp for holding the

slide below the stage on one side there

are the stage moving controls one

control moves the stage back and forth

the lower control moves the stage right

and left these dials move the stage up

and down to help focus your specimen the

coarse adjustment moves the stage

quickly the fine adjustment moves the

stage in much smaller increments

in the center of the stage there's a

hole and underneath this hole is the

condenser so if we look underneath the

stage you see the condenser is up here

the condenser can be controlled and

moved up and down but for most

applications all the way to the top is

the best position on the condenser

there's also a small lever this is the

iris diaphragm lever and it controls the

amount of light that passes through the

condenser

directly below the condenser is the

light source on the front of your

microscope there is a switch which will

turn on the light source and on the side

of the microscope there is a dial

turning this dial up increases the

brightness of the light source when you

use your microscope it's best to start

with a light relatively low and you want

to start with the lowest power objective

in place

when you're finished using the

microscope make sure that you clean it

to clean it you will use lens paper

remove a sheet of lens paper and you can

wipe off the oculars and you can also

wipe off the objectives if yous used oil

on your microscope you want to use the

lens cleaner to clean off any oil just

put a couple drops on your paper and rub

to remove any oil if necessary you can

also watch the condenser

to put the microscope away begin by

turning the light all the way down and

then turn off the power then rotate the

nosepiece so that the no power or low

power objective is above the stage and

lower the stage completely finally wrap

the power cord around the base of the

microscope around the arm if your

microscope has a dust cover put that on

it now