Final answer:
Marvin Minsky developed the basic concept of confocal microscopy in the 1950s and 1960s. Confocal microscopy is a type of microscope that uses fluorescence and a laser to obtain three-dimensional images. It is commonly used in biology to examine thick specimens and live cell processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The basic concept of confocal microscopy was developed by Marvin Minsky in the 1950s and 1960s.
Confocal microscopy is a type of microscope that uses fluorescence and a laser to obtain three-dimensional images. It works by scanning multiple z-planes successively and produces high-resolution images at various depths, which can be constructed into a three-dimensional image by a computer.
Confocal microscopy is commonly used in biology to examine thick specimens and live cell processes, as it enhances images over conventional optical microscopy, especially for thicker specimens.