What type of microscope is used for fluorescence microscopy?

Fluorescence microscopy utilizes a specialized instrument designed to detect and visualize fluorescently labeled specimens. A fluorescence microscope is equipped with specific optical components, including excitation and emission filters, to isolate the wavelengths of light necessary to excite fluorophores within the sample. When the sample is illuminated with this specific wavelength of light, the fluorophores absorb the light and emit it at a longer wavelength, producing a bright signal against a dark background. This technique is invaluable in biological and medical research for studying cellular components, proteins, and other molecules, allowing for detailed imaging of structures and processes that would otherwise be difficult to visualize using conventional microscopy.

Each of the alternative microscope types listed serves different purposes: the electron microscope is used for high-resolution imaging of ultrastructures; phase contrast microscopes enhance the contrast of transparent and colorless specimens; and dark field microscopes are used primarily for visualizing samples that scatter light. None of these alternatives are designed for the specific requirements of fluorescence imaging, making the fluorescence microscope the only correct choice for this application.