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Brightfield microscopy is the most basic form of microscope illumination technique and is commonly employed with compound microscopes. The term "brightfield" originates from the fact that the specimen appears dark due to staining, while the surrounding field of view appears bright, creating contrast. This type of microscope is widely used in various fields, ranging from basic biology, the study of cell structures in cell biology, microbiology, bacteriology, and the visualization of parasitic organisms in parasitology. Since many organic specimens are transparent or opaque, staining is necessary to create the necessary contrast for visibility under the microscope. Different stains and staining techniques are utilized based on the type of specimen and cell structure being examined.

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Brightfield microscopy offers several advantages, including its ease of use, preservation of specimen colour without alteration by the microscope optics, and the ability to adjust and modify the microscope for improved viewing. However, it has certain limitations. It cannot be used to observe live specimens such as bacterial cells; only fixed specimens can be observed under a brightfield microscope. The maximum magnification achievable with a brightfield microscope is 100x, and it generally exhibits low contrast, necessitating staining for effective visualization, which can introduce unwanted details into the specimen. Additionally, the use of oil immersion may distort the image, and the application of a coverslip may furthermore potentially damage the specimen.