Final answer:
Optical (light) microscopes should be used when observing small details of a specimen. They are advantageous for viewing living organisms and allow biologists to see the components of cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
Optical (light) microscopes should be used when observing small details of a specimen. They are commonly used in schools and laboratories because they allow biologists to see the components of living organisms.
Light microscopes use lenses to focus light on the specimen, and the most powerful ones can make images up to 2,000 times larger.