Virtual Microscope - Biology I guide with complete
solution
Abbe Condenser
This specially-designed lens, with an iris-type aperture, and mounted under the stage,
moves vertically to adjust the beam of light entering the lens system. Changing the size
of the iris and adjusting its position in relation to the stage controls the diameter and
focal point of the cone of light as it passes through the specimen.
Achromatic Lenses
Achromatic lenses are used to correct the bending or refraction of light as it passes
through the prisms or lenses in the microscope. Each achromatic light has different
lenses of refraction to realign certain colors of light at the focal point, resulting in a much
clearer image.
Arm
The arm is the area of the microscope between the tube and the base. To carry a
microscope, grip the arm with one hand and place the other hand underneath the base.
Articulated Arm
This stand holds the microscope body, clamps to a table, and provides movement in
three dimensions.
Base
The base is the bottom support structure of the microscope. To carry a microscope, grip
the arm with one hand and place the other hand underneath the base.
Binocular Head
A binocular microscope features a head with two eyepiece lenses, one eyepiece for
each eye.
Body
The body refers to the main section of the microscope, minus the stand (base) or any
illuminators. The body components generally include the eyepiece and objective lenses,
but not the focusing block.
C-mount
A c-mount is an adapter for use with a video camera. In general, the lens from the
camera is removed and replaced with an adapter which then connects to the trinocular
port of the microscope.
Coarse Focus
The larger of two adjustment knobs that moves the objective lenses closer to, or farther
away from, the specimen in large steps.
Coaxial Focus
This system features the course and fine focus knobs on a single rotation axis. With this
setup, the course focus knob is generally larger and on the outside while the fine focus
knob is smaller and on the inside.
Condenser Lens
Mounted in or below the stage, this lens focuses or "condenses" the light onto a
specimen. Microscopes with higher-powered objective lenses with smaller diameters
require concentrated light to work properly. The use of a condenser lens helps increase
illumination and resolution.
, Contrast Plate
Used on low-power microscopes, this circular opaque plate is placed on the stage, and
can be flipped between a black or white slide depending on the coloration of the
specimen.
Cover Slip
A cover slip is a very thin square of plastic or glass used to cover the specimen on a
slide. With a liquid sample, the cover slip assists with single-pane focusing by flattening
out the liquid.
Diaphragm
Most useful at higher powers, the diaphragm is typically a five-hole disk housed under
the stage that adjusts the amount of light passing through the stage opening. Each
opening is a different diameter controlling how much light passes through to help
properly illuminate the specimen while also increasing contrast and resolution.
DIN Optics
This German standard for the manufacture of microscope lenses features a uniform
thread and works with a 160mm tube length. While not notably better than non-DIN,
they are interchangeable between DIN microscopes.
Diopter Adjustment
Used on microscopes with a binocular head, this adjustment allows each eyepiece to be
focused independently to compensate for the difference in vision between your two
eyes.
Dual Head
Generally found on high-power microscopes, this unit features a singe eyepiece on one
side and an additional eyepiece on the top or opposite side. Dual heads are useful for a
teacher to verify a student's view and they can also be used for video or camera work.
Eyepiece Lens
These lenses, also known as ocular lenses, are typically 10X, but also come in 5X, 15X,
and 20X varieties. The eyepiece lens is what you actually look through to see your
specimen. The interocular distance is adjustable so that you can keep both eyes open
when looking into the microscope..
Fine Focus
The smaller of two adjustment knobs moves the objective lens closer to, or farther away
from, the specimen in very small steps. It can be used to fine-tune the focus on various
parts of a specimen after first using the Course Focus to get close.
Field of View
The field of view, or "FOV", is the diameter of light visible when looking into the
eyepiece lens. Increasing lens power equals a smaller FOV. The FOV is measured by
placing a clear metric ruler on the stage and counting the millimeters across from side to
side.
Fixed Arm
A type of stand used for lower-power microscopes where the arm and body are integral
parts and fixed firmly to the Base.
Focus
The method by which the specimen's distance to the objective lens is adjusted to
provide a sharp image. Depending on the microscope, this adjustment will either be
made by moving the stage or moving the tubes.
solution
Abbe Condenser
This specially-designed lens, with an iris-type aperture, and mounted under the stage,
moves vertically to adjust the beam of light entering the lens system. Changing the size
of the iris and adjusting its position in relation to the stage controls the diameter and
focal point of the cone of light as it passes through the specimen.
Achromatic Lenses
Achromatic lenses are used to correct the bending or refraction of light as it passes
through the prisms or lenses in the microscope. Each achromatic light has different
lenses of refraction to realign certain colors of light at the focal point, resulting in a much
clearer image.
Arm
The arm is the area of the microscope between the tube and the base. To carry a
microscope, grip the arm with one hand and place the other hand underneath the base.
Articulated Arm
This stand holds the microscope body, clamps to a table, and provides movement in
three dimensions.
Base
The base is the bottom support structure of the microscope. To carry a microscope, grip
the arm with one hand and place the other hand underneath the base.
Binocular Head
A binocular microscope features a head with two eyepiece lenses, one eyepiece for
each eye.
Body
The body refers to the main section of the microscope, minus the stand (base) or any
illuminators. The body components generally include the eyepiece and objective lenses,
but not the focusing block.
C-mount
A c-mount is an adapter for use with a video camera. In general, the lens from the
camera is removed and replaced with an adapter which then connects to the trinocular
port of the microscope.
Coarse Focus
The larger of two adjustment knobs that moves the objective lenses closer to, or farther
away from, the specimen in large steps.
Coaxial Focus
This system features the course and fine focus knobs on a single rotation axis. With this
setup, the course focus knob is generally larger and on the outside while the fine focus
knob is smaller and on the inside.
Condenser Lens
Mounted in or below the stage, this lens focuses or "condenses" the light onto a
specimen. Microscopes with higher-powered objective lenses with smaller diameters
require concentrated light to work properly. The use of a condenser lens helps increase
illumination and resolution.
, Contrast Plate
Used on low-power microscopes, this circular opaque plate is placed on the stage, and
can be flipped between a black or white slide depending on the coloration of the
specimen.
Cover Slip
A cover slip is a very thin square of plastic or glass used to cover the specimen on a
slide. With a liquid sample, the cover slip assists with single-pane focusing by flattening
out the liquid.
Diaphragm
Most useful at higher powers, the diaphragm is typically a five-hole disk housed under
the stage that adjusts the amount of light passing through the stage opening. Each
opening is a different diameter controlling how much light passes through to help
properly illuminate the specimen while also increasing contrast and resolution.
DIN Optics
This German standard for the manufacture of microscope lenses features a uniform
thread and works with a 160mm tube length. While not notably better than non-DIN,
they are interchangeable between DIN microscopes.
Diopter Adjustment
Used on microscopes with a binocular head, this adjustment allows each eyepiece to be
focused independently to compensate for the difference in vision between your two
eyes.
Dual Head
Generally found on high-power microscopes, this unit features a singe eyepiece on one
side and an additional eyepiece on the top or opposite side. Dual heads are useful for a
teacher to verify a student's view and they can also be used for video or camera work.
Eyepiece Lens
These lenses, also known as ocular lenses, are typically 10X, but also come in 5X, 15X,
and 20X varieties. The eyepiece lens is what you actually look through to see your
specimen. The interocular distance is adjustable so that you can keep both eyes open
when looking into the microscope..
Fine Focus
The smaller of two adjustment knobs moves the objective lens closer to, or farther away
from, the specimen in very small steps. It can be used to fine-tune the focus on various
parts of a specimen after first using the Course Focus to get close.
Field of View
The field of view, or "FOV", is the diameter of light visible when looking into the
eyepiece lens. Increasing lens power equals a smaller FOV. The FOV is measured by
placing a clear metric ruler on the stage and counting the millimeters across from side to
side.
Fixed Arm
A type of stand used for lower-power microscopes where the arm and body are integral
parts and fixed firmly to the Base.
Focus
The method by which the specimen's distance to the objective lens is adjusted to
provide a sharp image. Depending on the microscope, this adjustment will either be
made by moving the stage or moving the tubes.
