Final answer:
In the given context, 'minute' means 'tiny', indicating that the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that humans can see is very small. Visible light is a narrow segment within the broader electromagnetic spectrum, with a wavelength range from about 380 to 740 nanometers.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of the statement 'Only a minute portion of the electromagnetic spectrum can be seen with the human eye', the word 'minute' means 'tiny' or very small. This implies that the range of electromagnetic waves that can be detected by the normal human eye is extremely limited. In the broader electromagnetic spectrum, visible light is merely a narrow segment with wavelengths ranging roughly from 380 to 740 nanometers.
Beyond this small window, other forms of electromagnetic radiation like ultraviolet light, infrared light, X-rays, and radio waves exist, which are not visible to the eye but can be detected by various instruments. For instance, with a wavelength of about 0.5 cm, radio waves can be used by radar systems to detect large objects like airplanes, while visible light allows us to view objects as small as single biological cells.