Final answer:
Native resolution in LCD monitors is the number of horizontal and vertical pixels that compose the display, which defines the display's maximum capability for sharpness and detail. It is the resolution at which images and content appear most clearly because it matches the display's actual pixel configuration. Changing from native resolution can reduce image sharpness.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term native resolution refers to the fixed number of pixel elements arranged horizontally and vertically on the LCD panel of a monitor or television. Each one of these pixels consists of sub-pixels with red, blue, or green filters, which create the image we see on the screen. The native resolution is the highest, and hence most optimal, resolution that a display can output without scaling the image. It's the actual number of physical pixels present in the display. Using a resolution setting different from the native resolution can result in a less sharp image, as the display has to use interpolation to simulate the missing pixels.
LCD monitors function by having a large backlight that emits light through these millions of pixels, controlled independently by varying the voltage to manipulate the picture contrast and produce different colors and brightness. The concepts of resolution and pixel density are crucial for understanding the display quality of an LCD screen.