Fluorescent microscopy works by collaborating the magnifying properties of the light microscope with the fluorescence emitting properties of substances. Fluorescence microscopy uses high-intensity light sources which excite fluorescent molecules known as fluorophores in the specimen being inspected. The samples are then labeled with a fluorophore in which they absorb high-intensity light from the source and release lower energy light of a longer wavelength. The resulting fluorescent light is then isolated from the neighboring radiation with filters, which allows for the fluorescent material to be visible. The resulting image is a magnified version of the specimen being observed.

It’s important to note that most of the fluorescence microscopes used in biology today are epi-fluorescence microscopes. In these microscopes, the excitation and observation of fluorescence happen above the specimen. Additionally, fluorescent microscopes use a much higher intensity light source than a conventional microscope uses.