Final answer:
The scanning electron microscope (SEM) is used to view the surfaces of objects ranging from the size of viruses to animal heads, generating detailed three-dimensional images.
Step-by-step explanation:
The electron microscope technique used for viewing the surfaces of a wide range of sizes, from a virus to an animal's head, and generates a three-dimensional image is known as scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This type of electron microscopy magnifies surfaces of specimens significantly, typically requiring specimens to be dried and prepared with fixatives to prevent artifacts from drying before being sputter-coated with a thin layer of metal such as gold. Compared to transmission electron microscopy, which requires thin sections and is suited for revealing internal structures, SEM is ideal for examining larger surfaces and provides detailed three-dimensional views.
Another type of electron microscope that is particularly useful for viewing thick structures such as biofilms is the confocal scanning laser microscope. This microscope employs laser technology to scan samples and can provide detailed images of specimens that are thicker than what can be imaged with traditional light microscopes or transmission electron microscopes.