Final answer:
Oil immersion objectives enhance the resolution of microscopic images by using immersion oil, which has a refractive index similar to glass. This increases the amount of light collected and the clarity of the image, enabling the study of minute structures like bacteria at magnifications up to 1,000 times. The correct option for their advantage is that they increase the resolution of the microscope which is option a).
Step-by-step explanation:
Oil Immersion Objectives and Microscopy Resolution
The use of oil immersion objectives in microscopy is linked to enhancing image resolution. When viewing specimens at very high magnifications under a light microscope, conventional objectives face a limitation due to light diffraction. However, by using an oil immersion lens and placing immersion oil between the lens and the specimen, one can significantly increase the resolution; this is because the immersion oil has a refractive index very similar to glass, which minimizes the scattering of light that dissipates the resolution. As light passes through the oil without much refraction before making contact with the lens, more light is collected, and the angle at which light can strike the lens is increased. As a result, the clarity and detail of the image improves, allowing for a better study of cells and other minute structures.
Resolution in microscopy is defined as the ability to distinguish two adjacent points as separate entities. The higher the resolution, the closer the two points can be while still being perceived as distinct, which is critical when studying small cellular structures that require clear and detailed images. This is instrumental in observing objects as small as 0.2 µm, and it's particularly important for studying bacteria and other microorganisms whose cellular components have similar light refraction characteristics. In sum, magnification is increased to 1,000 times with the aid of oil immersion lenses, allowing for greater detail in the study of small objects at a scale that remains practical for light microscopy, enhancing our understanding of cellular structure and function within the realm of laboratory research. Therefore, the correct option regarding the advantages that oil immersion objectives offer is 'a) They increase the resolution of the microscope.'.