Parts of Compound Microscope Diagram
Below is a compound microscope diagram that tells about the different parts of the compound microscope:
Mechanical Components
The mechanical components of compound microscope consists of:
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Base | The foot of the compound microscope, resembling the letter “U,” made of metal. |
| Pillar | Vertical support standing on the base, also supporting the stage; serves as a connection between the stage and the base. |
| Arm | Strong connection between the base and upper parts, akin to the backbone of a compound microscope. |
| Inclination Joint | Allows adjustment of the viewing angle for observations, enabling the tilting of the microscope. |
| Stage | Platform-like structure made of metal, fitting the lower part of the arm; features a central hole for light passage and where specimens are placed for examination. |
| Body Tube | Upper part of the arm, a tube-like structure regulating up and down movements via adjustment knobs; holds the objective lens (nose piece) and ocular lens (head). |
| Draw Tube | Small, fixed tube in the upper part of the body, primarily holding the ocular lens. |
| Rack and Pinion | Structure attached to the body tube or stage, facilitating focusing by bringing the specimen into focus. |
| Adjustment Screws | Used to tune a compound microscope; coarse adjustment moves the stage and lenses up and down to set the initial focus. |
| Automatic Stop | Small screw in the rack and pinion, preventing damage to the objective lens by acting as a stopper. |
| Clips | Two clips located in the upper part of the stage, securing slides in place during observation. |
Illumination Components
A compound microscope’s illuminating components are necessary to provide enough light to illuminate the specimen being examined.
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Light Source | Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and halogen bulbs are common types of light sources. The clarity and contrast of the examined illustration are directly impacted by the light source’s intensity and quality. |
| Condenser | Situated underneath the stage, the condenser collects and directs light onto the specimen. It consists of lenses that focus light onto the specimen, enhancing brightness and clarity. |
| Diaphragm | Acting as a control device, the diaphragm adjusts the quantity of light reaching the specimen. It is usually located inside or near the condenser. |
| Filters | Optional filters, sometimes included with microscopes, alter the color or quality of light passing through the specimen. |
| Slide Clips | Two clips are present to hold the slides in place during examination. |
Optical Components
The illuminator is the light source of a microscope. For a compound microscope, a mirror or light can be used as the illuminator.
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Diaphragm | Controls and regulates the light intensity, located at the bottom of the stage. |
| Condenser | Optical tool used to focus light by moving it up and down. |
| Reflector | Mirror-like structure attached under the base, combines plane and concave mirrors for light adjustment. |
| Eyepiece | Topmost lens of the microscope, used for viewing the closest microscopic structure of a specimen. |
| Objective Lenses | Located at the top of the stage, responsible for projecting magnified images of the specimen. Types include oil immersion (100X), high-power (45X), and low-power (10X) objectives. |
Parts of Compound Microscope
Parts of the Compound Microscope are objective lenses that enlarge the specimen; the eyepiece enlarges the image even further for the observer; the stage holds the specimen for observation; the condenser focuses light onto the specimen; and the illumination system provides light for visibility. When used in tandem, these elements allow scientists to view microscopic objects with extreme clarity and detail, making the compound microscope a vital instrument for scientific inquiry and teaching.
In this article, we will read about the parts of a compound microscope, its diagram, magnification, the working principle of a compound microscope, and the difference between a simple, compound, and electron microscope.
Table of Content
- What is a Compound Microscope?
- Parts of Compound Microscope
- Parts of Compound Microscope Diagram
- Magnification of Compound Microscope
- Working Principle of Compound Microscope
- Advantages and Disadvantages of Compound Microscope
- Difference Between Simple Microscope, Compound Microscope and Electron Microscope
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