Bio Topic1 Cells KO · Part 1 of 10

💡 Think of a microscope like a camera zoom function: start with the wide-angle lens to find your subject, then zoom in for detail. The eyepiece and objective lens multiply together, just like zoom levels stacking.

A light microscope magnifies specimens using two lenses: the eyepiece (in the tube you look through) and the objective lens (near the specimen). Total magnification is calculated by multiplying these two magnifications together. Starting on low power (×4 or ×10) lets you see a wide field of view to locate your cells, then you switch to high power (×40 or ×100) for detailed observation. Stains like iodine are chemicals added to make specific structures visible—iodine turns starch blue-black, for example.

Key points

Total magnification = Eyepiece magnification × Objective lens magnification
Example: ×10 eyepiece × ×40 objective = ×400 total magnification
Always start on low power (×4 or ×10) to see a wider field of view and locate the specimen
Switch to high power (×40 or ×100) only after locating your cells for detailed observation
Iodine stain colours starch blue-black to make it visible under the microscope