What is an important step to enhance visibility when observing cells under a microscope?

Staining the cells is an important step to enhance visibility when observing them under a microscope because many cells are nearly transparent and do not have distinct colors, making it difficult to see their structures clearly. Stains can bind to specific cell components or structures, allowing those features to be visualized against the background. This can highlight certain areas of the cell, such as the nucleus or other organelles, facilitating better observation and analysis.

Using a higher power lens can improve the resolution and detail of the observed structures, but without proper contrast that staining provides, the structures may still be hard to distinguish. Increasing the light intensity may enhance brightness but could also lead to glare or wash out details if there isn’t adequate contrast from staining. Adjusting the distance to the sample can help in focusing the image, but it does not fundamentally improve the contrast or visibility of transparent structures within the cell.