The Microscope Preferred for Viewing Living Specimens is the ________

Question

The microscope preferred for viewing living specimens is the ________ microscope.
A) bright-field
B) phase-contrast
C) scanning electron
D) scanning tunneling
E) transmission electron

Accepted Answer

The phase-contrast microscope is the best choice for viewing living specimens because it enhances contrast and allows for visualization of internal cellular structures without the need for staining or fixing the specimen. The bright-field microscope is commonly used for viewing fixed and stained specimens, while the scanning electron and transmission electron microscopes are better suited for viewing specimens at high magnification but require specialized preparation techniques that kill the specimen. The scanning tunneling microscope is used for studying surface topography of materials at the atomic level and is not applicable for viewing biological specimens.