What are the differences between an upright and inverted microscope, and how do these differences impact their functionality and applications in microscopy?

An upright microscope has the light source and lenses positioned above the specimen, while an inverted microscope has them below. This difference affects the types of samples each can observe and the techniques they can perform. Upright microscopes are better for viewing solid samples on slides, while inverted microscopes are ideal for observing living cells in culture dishes. The choice between the two depends on the specific needs of the researcher and the type of samples being studied.