What is the purpose of having a light source on a microscope?

1 Answer
Jan 6, 2016

For illumination, to allow better viewing.

Explanation:

There are many kinds of microscopes. Some do not need light (as an electron microscope, very high magnification). So I will assume that you were asking about the Bright Field Microscope, one of the most common, if not the most, kind of microscope used routinely in the laboratory. It is called "Bright field"" because objects appear dark in a bright background.

You have to bear in mind that the microscope is like our eye; it has lenses. We can't see that much in the dark, right? Same is true for the microscope. However, i will reiterate that there are many kinds of microscopes. Bright field is only one. Hope this helped!! :)

Source:
1. "Urinalysis and Body Fluids" by Susan Strasinger, 6th Ed, 2014.