Which lens of the microscope is responsible for producing magnification?

The objective lens is responsible for producing magnification in a microscope. It is located closest to the specimen being observed and is crucial for gathering light and magnifying the image of the specimen. Different objective lenses provide various levels of magnification, allowing users to switch lenses based on the detail required for the observation.

The ocular lens, which is located at the top of the microscope, further magnifies the image produced by the objective lens, but it is the objective lens that initially creates the primary magnified image of the specimen. The condenser lens is primarily responsible for focusing light onto the specimen, enhancing the illumination and contrast of the image rather than directly contributing to magnification. Finally, while the term "focusing lens" can refer to adjustments made with the ocular or objective lenses to sharpen the image, it does not specify a particular lens that is dedicated to magnification. Therefore, the choice of the objective lens as the correct answer highlights its key role in the magnification process in microscopy.