Final answer:
The basic unit of life is the cell, with eukaryotic cells having a nuclear membrane and prokaryotic cells lacking one. Special stains are used to view cell components under a light microscope, while scanning electron microscopes can visualize fine cell details. It was Anton van Leeuwenhoek who contributed significantly to cell observation using microscopes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question most likely pertains to a high school level biology class, considering it involves understanding of cells, their organelles, and the usage of microscopes in observing them. When identifying the basic unit of life, the correct answer is cell. Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells are fundamental to life, but they differ in complexity and features. For instance, eukaryotic cells have a nuclear membrane, separating them from prokaryotic cells which do not. To make individual components of cells more visible under a light microscope, scientists often use special stains. The scanning electron microscope is a tool that could most effectively visualize the surface topology and detailed three-dimensional structure of small objects, making it excellent for observing the intricate details of cells' surfaces.
To further comprehend cells, it's important to note that not all cells have a nucleus; only eukaryotic cells do, while prokaryotic cells lack a defined nucleus. Among other tools, scientists can use a scanning electron microscope to observe cellular structures that are too small to see with a light microscope. When identifying cells under a microscope, distinguishing characteristics of a prokaryote (like bacteria), eukaryotes (such as plant and animal cells), or other cell types like fungal involve attention to the presence of organelles and the cell's overall structure. The movement of molecules inside the cell, such as glucose, can occur via various mechanisms, depending on the concentration gradient across the cell membrane.
Regarding historical figures, it was Robert Hooke who first identified and named cells after observing cork under a microscope. However, it was Anton van Leeuwenhoek who was one of the first to observe cells in greater detail.