What best describes the characteristics of a compound microscope?

What best describes the characteristics of a compound microscope?

• A. It uses one lens for magnification
• B. It uses multiple lenses for enhanced magnification
• C. It only magnifies by light refraction
• D. It is primarily used for viewing live specimens

Answer: (B)

A compound microscope is characterized by its use of multiple lenses to achieve enhanced magnification. Typically, it consists of an objective lens near the specimen and an eyepiece or ocular lens through which the viewer looks. The combination of these lenses allows for greater magnification and improved resolution than a single lens would provide. By utilizing both lenses in tandem, compound microscopes can magnify objects significantly, making them essential tools in biological studies and various scientific fields. This multiple-lens system is what differentiates a compound microscope from simpler microscopes, such as magnifying glasses that use only one lens for magnification. Additionally, while a compound microscope does utilize light refraction in the magnification process, it is not limited to this mechanism alone, as it relies on the coordination of multiple lenses to enhance image clarity and detail. Though compound microscopes are commonly used for viewing both live and prepared specimens, their primary function is the magnification of small objects, which justifies the selection of this response.

A compound microscope is characterized by its use of multiple lenses to achieve enhanced magnification. Typically, it consists of an objective lens near the specimen and an eyepiece or ocular lens through which the viewer looks. The combination of these lenses allows for greater magnification and improved resolution than a single lens would provide. By utilizing both lenses in tandem, compound microscopes can magnify objects significantly, making them essential tools in biological studies and various scientific fields.

This multiple-lens system is what differentiates a compound microscope from simpler microscopes, such as magnifying glasses that use only one lens for magnification. Additionally, while a compound microscope does utilize light refraction in the magnification process, it is not limited to this mechanism alone, as it relies on the coordination of multiple lenses to enhance image clarity and detail. Though compound microscopes are commonly used for viewing both live and prepared specimens, their primary function is the magnification of small objects, which justifies the selection of this response.