Question

The diaphragm is the part of the microscope that adjusts the amount of light going through the slide. Believe it or not, some specimens are easier to see when the diaphragm lets less light in. If you use the view that allows you to see the specimen being magnified, the diaphragm is the part that is directly under your field of view. It has a lever that can be moved right or left to adjust the light coming through the slide.

Using the bacterial capsule slide, on 100x (make sure the slide is centered and focused), is it easier to see the bacteria when the diaphragm is completely open, or mostly closed?
Choose one:
a. open
b. closed

Answer 1

a. open

Step-by-step explanation:

It is true that it will often be favorable to close the microscope diaphragm so that the sample is viewed more efficiently. However, these will be rare cases and you are more likely to have to open the diaphragm to be able to view.

Ideally, you should try to adjust your view with the diaphragm open first, and if you are unable to adjust the light correctly, you should close the diaphragm to see if the view looks better.