Final answer:
The invention and subsequent improvements of the light microscope allowed the observation of cells, a capability further enhanced by the development of the electron microscope in the 1950s, which enabled viewing structures inside cells at a molecular level.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding the Role of Microscopy in Cell Observation
The opportunity to study cells became possible with the invention and improvement of the light microscope. Before the development of these instruments, the small size of cells made them invisible to the eye. English scientist Robert Hooke in 1665 made a significant progress by using a basic light microscope to observe cells for the first time. However, the resolution of light microscopes reached a limit by the late 1800s, unable to reveal structures inside the cell.
It wasn't until the 1950s that the electron microscope was invented, revolutionizing biological research. This new type of microscope used a beam of electrons, providing the ability to see smaller structures at the molecular level, which led to vital insights into cell biology.
These microscopes gave scientists the capability to view cell organelles and even individual molecules and atoms, furthering our understanding of the fundamental building blocks of life. The development of microscope technology, including advancements in light and electron microscopy, has been central to our ability to study and understand microscopic organisms and the intricate details of cellular structures.