Can a virus be seen under a light microscope?

Viruses are on the scale of .5–5 microns. The resolution of an optical imaging system is limited by the wavelength of light used, which for the visible range, puts the lower limit somewhere around 350 nm. read more

Using some light microscopes, certain types of cells can be seen, and parts such as their nuclei can usually be identified. However, I virus is much, much smaller. A basic light microscope would not be able to make these visible. read more

Viruses are usually too small to be seen at the light microscope level. However: large virus conglomerates within cells can be seen under a light microscope. In that case they're called"inclusion bodies". These have diagnostic value. read more

Only the largest of viruses (e.g. Pox viruses) can be seen with a good light microscope (albeit with poor detail).Viruses usually can only be seen by electron microscopy.[2nd year Dental student, Naser]. read more