Gel documentation systems are used to image and document nucleic acid and protein gels stained with ethidium bromide. They typically consist of a UV light source, hood, and camera. Ethidium bromide fluorescence allows visualization of DNA/RNA bands under UV light. Larger amounts of nucleic acid bind more ethidium bromide and appear brighter. Gel doc systems are used to capture and analyze gel images for applications like electrophoresis, blotting, and colony counting. Components include the camera, lenses, illuminator, stage, and software for image processing and analysis.