Final answer:
The most commonly used ocular in microbiology is the Compound microscope, which is a type of brightfield microscope that utilizes light to allow the viewing of microscopic living organisms. It is favored for its direct observational capability and its ease of use in educational and research settings.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most commonly used ocular in microbiology is the Compound microscope. This type of microscope is a brightfield microscope that uses two or more lenses to produce a magnified image, allowing visualization of tiny living organisms such as bacteria and fungi. Brightfield microscopes are also referred to as light microscopes and are often found in both educational and laboratory settings.
The light microscope is essential for viewing living specimens, which is often required in microbiological studies. However, since most cellular components are transparent, the characters of these organisms usually are not distinguishable without the use of special stains. Unfortunately, staining typically results in the death of the cells. Light microscopes, including the compound microscope, are advantageous because they enable users to observe specimens directly, and different types can complement each other in research and diagnostics.
There are various forms of microscopes such as electron microscopes, fluorescence microscopes, and phase-contrast microscopes, but for standard, everyday use in observing microbial life, the compound light microscope remains the most prevalent and accessible instrument in the field of microbiology.