Simplistically, what does resolution in microscopy refer to?

Resolution in microscopy primarily refers to the ability to distinguish two close points as separate entities. This concept is crucial because it determines the clarity and detail at which we can observe and analyze small structures in a specimen. When resolution is high, two adjacent points can be seen distinctly; whereas, with low resolution, they may appear as one blurred point.

This ability to differentiate closely spaced objects is fundamental in various scientific disciplines, particularly in biology, where distinguishing small cellular structures can provide key insights into functionality and structure. This definition of resolution does not concern itself with magnification, brightness, or light passage, which are related to different aspects of microscopy. Thus, while the total magnification is important for enlarging images, it does not inherently make finer details visible if the resolution is inadequate. Similarly, brightness and the amount of light passing through the specimen are significant for image quality but do not define the resolving power of the microscope.