Final answer:
a) Light microscopes. The typical microscope used in high school and college science labs is the light microscope, specifically the brightfield microscope.
Step-by-step explanation:
The typical microscope used in high school and college science labs is the light microscope. Light microscopes, also known as brightfield microscopes, use visible light to illuminate a specimen and magnify it up to approximately 400 times. They are commonly used to study cells and tissues.
While there are other types of microscopes such as electron microscopes, including transmission electron microscopes (TEM) and scanning electron microscopes (SEM), these are not typically found in high school or college labs. Electron microscopes use a beam of electrons to generate an image and can achieve higher magnification and resolution than light microscopes. However, they require specialized facilities and extensive training to operate.
In summary, the typical microscope used in high school and college science labs is the light microscope, specifically the brightfield microscope. It is important to note that other types of microscopes, such as electron microscopes, may be used in advanced research or specialized labs.