<unk>  is any technique for producing visible images of structures or details too small to otherwise be seen by the human eye, using a<unk>  or other magnification tool. It is often used more specifically as a technique of using a<unk> .<unk>  has evolved with the development of<unk> s. Hence there are three main branches of<unk> ; optical, electron and scanning probe<unk> .
Optical and electron<unk>  involves the diffraction, reflection, or refraction of radiation incident upon the subject of study, and the subsequent collection of this scattered radiation in order to build up an image. This process may be carried out by wide field irradiation of the sample (for example standard light<unk>  and transmission electron<unk>  or by scanning of a fine beam over the sample (for example confocal<unk>  and scanning electron<unk> . Scanning probe<unk>  involves the interaction of a scanning probe with the surface or object of interest. The development of<unk>  revolutionized biology and remains an essential tool in that science, along with many others.
Microscopy
Dark field microscopy
Cell culture
Optical microscope
Silver stain
Electron microscope
Steri strip
Periodic acid-Schiff stain