Here are the basic steps to use a microscope: Turn on the light source: If your microscope has an illumination system, turn it on and adjust the brightness as needed. Place the specimen on the stage: Carefully place the specimen to be viewed on the microscope stage. If the specimen is a slide, center it on the stage and secure it with the stage clips. Select the lowest magnification objective lens: Rotate the nosepiece to select the lowest magnification objective lens. Adjust the focus: Look through the eyepiece and use the coarse focus knob to move the objective lens downward until it is very close to the specimen. Then, use the coarse focus knob to move the objective lens upward while looking through the eyepiece until the specimen comes into focus. Adjust the magnification: Rotate the nosepiece to select a higher magnification objective lens if desired. Refocus the specimen using the coarse and fine focus knobs as necessary. Move the specimen: Use the mechanical stage controls to move the specimen to different areas of the slide as needed. Adjust the lighting: If the illumination system has adjustable controls, adjust them as needed to optimize the lighting of the specimen. Record your observations: Record your observations and any measurements you take while examining the specimen. Turn off the microscope: When you are finished, turn off the illumination system and rotate the objective lens to the lowest magnification. Clean the lenses and put the microscope away. Note: The exact steps and controls may vary depending on the type and model of microscope you are using. Always refer to the user manual for specific instructions.