When using a compound light microscope, which part should you adjust to bring the specimen into sharp focus?

When using a compound light microscope, the fine focus knob is the part that should be adjusted to bring the specimen into sharp focus. This knob allows for small, precise adjustments to the distance between the objective lens and the specimen. When viewing a specimen, achieving a clear, crisp image often requires slight alterations to the focus, and the fine focus knob enables this level of control.

Utilizing the coarse focus knob initially helps to get the specimen within a general range of focus, but it is the fine focus knob that fine-tunes the focus, allowing for detailed observation of cellular structures or minute features in the specimen. Proper use of both knobs is important during microscopy, but distinguishing when to utilize the fine focus is crucial for clarity in viewing the specimen.