This text aims to help the reader understand about the compound microscope and it uses.  One of its many objectives is to also distinguish the different terminology regarding microscopes, such as magnification and resolution. Also, it aims to allow the reader gain a full comprehension about the structures of the plant and animal cell as they are visualized with a light microscope.
The field of microscopic anatomy is exactly what its name suggests – the study of biology through an individual cell, which is deemed the basic unit of life. All cells, though, are no alike. There are simple cells and complex cells. To view them would be impossible without the light microscope. Another type of microscope is the petrographic microscope used to view minerals.
To start, the article recommends getting to know the microscope and its parts so that using it will not be difficult. Humans normally cannot see things smaller than 0.1mm in diameter, and since microbes  and minerals are as small as 0.2 microns, you can see why the microscope (like petrographic microscopes in studying minerals) is such as handy tool to biologist and other experts in the various fields of science. In the beginning, do not be disappointed if you fail to visualize plant or animal cells for the first time. With careful adjustment of the microscope and a bit of patience, you will be able to study things under the magnification of the electron microscope.
The article includes helpful hints about the common expressions that are used in the laboratory and the functions that microscopes are responsible for. For maximum use of the microscope, the article recommends that you are at least familiar with the terminology and know how to manipulate the dials and knobs of the microscope to achieve its maximum use.
The term magnification is described as making the linear dimensions of an object bigger by at least 10 times or 100 times. It is expressed in units X, for example, 10X for a magnification of ten times. The compound microscope includes two lenses, one being the objective, which magnifies the subject being studied, while the other, the ocular further magnifies the image.
Resolution is also defined in this article. It is the capacity of the microscope to make relation between the object being studied and those around it, thus making the image clearer or blurry. There must be definite relationship between magnification and resolution, as one cannot do without the other to produce a clear image of the specimen under study. Like the petrograhic microscope for example, it uses polarised for better viewing of minerals.
Working terminology such as Numerical Aperture, Working distance, Field of view and Depth of focus is also defined in this article. It helps the reader attain a certain knowledge how all these components work in assuring that the magnification of a specimen is achieved.
The mechanical and optical components are also illustrated in this article. There is also an illustration of the microscope and its corresponding parts labeled out for the reader.
This is a very simple article about the light microscope and how to use it. It is easy to read and very detailed about its descriptions, which is very useful to a person who might be encountering a microscope for the first time. It even explains how to prepare for the visualization of a specimen in a step by step process, so the reader will not be at a loss while reading the article. Read the entire article