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Procedure for using light microscope

• Place the microscope on a firm bench.
• Turn oradjust or switch on the in-built bulb of the microscope  to  direct light into the microscope.
• Switch or rock the lowest objective (X10) into the optical train
• place the slide containing the specimen on the stage.
• Rock down the objective using coarse adjustment until it comes to stop. Do so while your eyes are looking at the objective, not into the microscope .
• Now look into the microscope and using the coarse adjustment knob, rock up the objective until you see the image.Then rock the fine adjustment knob to focus properly.
• if you need higher magnification, switch the x40 objective into train and then use the adjustment to focus theimage and if you need still higher magnification, apply oil immersion on the specimen placed on the stage  and switch the X100 objective into train.
• Rock down the objective to touch the slide while the eyes are out of the microscope.
• Rock up the condenser to the maximum.
• Focus clearly using fine adjustment.

Care and maintenance of  light microscopes

• Carry microscopes using both hands by the limb and the base and should be in upright position so as to avoid dropping  loose parts e.g. mirror and eye- pieces.
• Do not touch the microscopes lens using   fingers.
• Clean microscope lens using lens cleansing tissues.
• Microscopes should be kept clean and covered to avoid dust.
• The optical parts should be cleaned using a little xylene on a lens cleaning tissue or soft cloth. do not use sleeves or lab coats.
• Keep microscopes away from direct sunlight and dust i.e.  always cover microscopes and keep then in locked cupboards.
• Never place microscopes at the edge of benches.
• Avoid using a high-power objective when a low power objective is satisfactory.
• It is dangerous to rock down the objective while you are looking into the microscope. You risk breaking the slide, the objective lens or the condenser.
• Repair should be left only to a trained expert.
• Do not place wet preparation on the stage without wiping the undersurface of the slide.