A microscope is an optical instrument used to look at very small objects, allowing us to see details that cannot be discernible to the naked eye. Since the 17th century, the invention of the microscope has revolutionized the face of scientific research, opening up new horizons in fields such as biology, medicine, and materials science.
Microscopes are mainly divided into optical microscopy and electron microscopy. Light microscopy uses light passing through a specimen to enlarge an image and is widely used in cytology and histology. It allows scientists to observe biological processes such as cell structure and cell division. Electron microscopes, which use beams of electrons instead of light, can achieve higher resolution and reveal details at the nanoscale, and are therefore used in materials science and virus research.
The microscope is not only an important tool in the laboratory, but also a key to the delicate world of scientific exploration. It gives us a deep understanding of the basic building blocks of life and the microstructure of materials, and drives the continuous progress of science and technology. Through the microscope, we can glimpse an incredibly rich and wonderful microscopic universe.