Part	Function
Eyepiece or ocular	Contains lens to increase magnification; it may be replaced with lenses with other magnification power
Body tube	Holds lenses of ocular and objectives at the proper working distance from each other
Nosepiece	Permits interchange of low- and high-power objectives
Objective lens	Magnifies the image
Stage	Supports body tube and specimen for clear observation
Stage clip	Holds specimen firmly on the stage
Diaphragm/clamping screw	Regulates the amount of light passing through the specimen
Fine adjustment	Permits precise focusing by stage up or down
Coarse adjustment	Moves body tube up or down for approximate observation
Mirror	Reflects light upward through diaphragm and hole in stage
Limb or arm	Supports body tube and coarse adjustment
Foot/stand/base	Supports weight of microscope

Handling and Care for the Microscope

A microscope is a very expensive instrument and should be handled with great care in order to maintain its precision. Pay attention to the following rules when you use the microscope:

1. Always use two hands to carry the instrument. Hold the microscope with one hand and place the other under the base.
2. When placing the microscope on the bench or table, place it down carefully in order that the delicate mechanism is not jarred.
3. Clean the lenses by wiping them with lens paper. Never touch the lenses with fingers or use a coarse cloth for cleaning purposes. The lenses should never be wetted.
4. Keep the stage of the microscope dry and clean. Wipe it immediately if it becomes wet.
5. Do not tilt the microscope when using a wet preparation on the slide.
6. In order to protect the objective lens, always cover the object on the slide with a cover slip.
7. Always move the lens up when focusing, to avoid breaking the slide.