Microscopes are a great invention, allowing us to observe minute structures in detail. It has revolutionized the fields of science and medicine. Scientists have made numerous discoveries, and researchers have effortlessly worked on their research with the help of these powerful tools. Regarding microscopes, we often think of parts like the eyepiece, objective lens, stage, or specimen. However, one of the primary components is usually overlooked – the base.
This article will help you explore the different components of a microscope, the function of the base in a microscope, and its significance.
Table of Contents
Parts of a Microscope
Any microscope, be it an electron or compound, has different parts that work together to provide a framework; hence, you can observe a magnified image. The microscope parts typically have two categories: Structural Parts and Optical Parts.
Structural Parts of a Microscope
As the name indicates, structural parts help a microscope have a firm ground. Such elements together provide balance and support to the entire equipment. These are:
- Head
- Arms
- Base
Optical Parts of a Microscope
Similarly, the optical parts of a microscope play a critical role in magnifying an object placed on the prepared slide. These include:
- Eyepiece
- Objective Lens
- Nosepiece
- Stage
- Stage Clips
- Adjustment Knobs
- Light Source
- Condenser
- Diaphragm
What Does the Base do on a Microscope?
Structural parts are usually ignored when it comes to discussing the significance of a microscope. But, a magnifying tool, like the compound microscope, is incomplete without these parts. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the stability of the microscope. Moreover, the base provides comprehensive support to the entire body. It is usually made of plastic or heavy metal to serve as a foundation for the equipment.
The base is usually of heavy weight to ensure that the instrument remains steady throughout the observation. This heaviness helps a microscope stay at a fixed position and prevent any shaking to avoid obscuring or distorting the image. In addition, this part often has extra space for other accessories, such as cover slips, slides, additional lenses, etc. These different features can improve the functionality of a microscope, making it more advanced.
If you’re buying a new microscope, make sure to check its base. It should be well-designed to allow easy instrument adjustment for convenient specimen viewing.
Other Structural Components
Just like the base, other structural components of a microscope also have vital functions. Let’s have a brief look at them below:
Head: It is the upper part of a microscope, also known as the body tube. The head is cylindrical, containing optical components like the ocular lens or eyepiece. This body tube explicitly holds the lenses in place to transmit the image to the eyepiece for clear viewing. A microscope’s head is often adjustable, so the viewer can change its position as per convenience to achieve the desired level of magnification.
Arm: It is part of a microscope that connects the head to the base, further helping the equipment stay steady while the viewer adjusts the lenses. Moreover, this structural component sometimes has other essential parts attached to it, such as the stage, stage clips, and fine adjustment knobs. Hence, the arm is also responsible for holding the specimen to be magnified later.
Bottom Line
It is imperative to understand the components and their functionality before selecting any type of microscope. Whether it’s the head, arm, or base, all are significant in one way or another. The base helps a microscope stay at a fixed position when a person is viewing a specimen for magnifying purposes. Besides, the importance of the head and arm lies in the fact that these ensure the light is rightly passed through the lenses to give a clear image view to the observer, thus, preventing any blurring or distorting of the issue.
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