Final answer:
Magnification in a microscope involves ocular magnification (eyepiece), objective magnification, and the total magnification which is the product of the two. A microscope with an 800 total magnification and a 200x objective lens has a 4x eyepiece magnification. Additional objectives of 100x and 400x would enable total magnifications of 400x and 1600x respectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
The different types of magnification in a microscope include ocular magnification, objective magnification, and total magnification. Ocular or eyepiece magnification is the magnification provided by the eyepiece lens, which often magnifies images by 10 times (10x). Objective magnification is determined by the objective lens, with common magnifications ranging from 4x to 100x. Total magnification is calculated by multiplying ocular magnification by objective magnification, hence the importance of both lenses in contributing to the final image enlargement.
For example, a microscope with an overall magnification of 800 and an objective that magnifies by 200 has an eyepiece magnification of 4x (800/200=4). If two other objectives with magnifications of 100 and 400 are used, possible total magnifications of 400x (100x4) and 1600x (400x4) can be achieved, respectively.
When studying smaller cells, such as prokaryotic cells, oil immersion lenses are often used to increase magnification, usually to 1,000 times. Electron microscopes provide even greater magnifications and are used for more detailed observations of cell structure and function.