Final answer:
Phase contrast microscopes take advantage of wave interference and phase differences to enhance contrast in images. They shift the phase of light passing through a specimen to capture small differences in refractive index.
Step-by-step explanation:
Phase contrast microscopes take advantage of wave interference and phase differences to enhance contrast in the images they produce. These microscopes work by shifting the phase of light passing through a specimen to capture small differences in refractive index. This allows for better visualization of structures with different refractive indices, such as cell organelles and cytoplasm.