2007-03-07 00:05:03 · 4 answers · asked by jack_hock2003 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
You use iodine or other solutions to STAIN the sample. by staining the sample, it causes all of the sample to become visible (any tiny lines, growths, or other items.)
Without using the iodine (which is purpleish red) it would be possible to miss some of the structure of what you are lookign because the bright white light of the microscope blend with any white looking substances in the sample.
2007-03-07 00:09:25 · answer #1 · answered by Adorabilly 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the actual cells of the onion are almost transparent under a microscope and you need a contrast solution to be able to identify them... Such is the Iodine!
2007-03-07 00:13:16 · answer #2 · answered by Jay 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the iodine stains the cells making them easier to discern. Otherwise you couldn't easily tell where one cell ended and the other began.
2007-03-07 00:08:03 · answer #3 · answered by macruadhi 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because it "illuminates" certain cellular parts we want to study!
2007-03-07 00:08:17 · answer #4 · answered by filip 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋