Editing Microscopic scale (section)

== Microscopic scale in the laboratory ==
Whilst use of the microscopic scale has many roles and purposes in the scientific field, there are many biochemical patterns observed microscopically that have contributed significantly to the understanding of how human life relies on microscopic structures to function and live.{{cn|date=July 2022}}

=== Founding experiments ===
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek was not only a contributor to the invention of the microscope, he is also referred to as the "father of Microbiology". This is due to his significant contributions in the initial observation and documentation of [[unicellular organism]]s such as bacteria and spermatozoa, and microscopic human tissue such as muscle fibres and capillaries.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC - History - Historic Figures: Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (1632 - 1723) |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/van_leeuwenhoek_antonie.shtml#:~:text=In%201676,%20van%20Leeuwenhoek%20observed,able%20to%20confirm%20his%20discoveries. |access-date=2022-05-23 |website=www.bbc.co.uk |language=en-GB}}</ref>

=== Biochemistry ===

==== Human cells ====
Genetic manipulation of energy-regulating [[Mitochondrion|mitochondria]] under microscopic principles has also been found to extend organism lifespan, tackling age-associated issues in humans such as [[Parkinson's disease|Parkinson's]], [[Alzheimer's disease|Alzheimer's]] and [[multiple sclerosis]]. By increasing the amount of energy products made by mitochondria, the lifespan of its cell, and thus organism, increases.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The microscopic structures that could hold the key to a longer, healthier life {{!}} Research and Innovation |url=https://ec.europa.eu/research-and-innovation/en/horizon-magazine/microscopic-structures-could-hold-key-longer-healthier-life |access-date=2022-05-12 |website=ec.europa.eu |date=18 August 2014 |language=en}}</ref>

==== DNA ====
Microscopic analysis of the spatial distribution of points within [[DNA]] [[heterochromatin]] [[centromere]]s emphasise the role of the centromeric regions of chromosomes in nuclei undergoing the [[interphase]] part of cell [[mitosis]]. Such microscopic observations suggest nonrandom distribution and precise structure of centromeres during mitosis is a vital contributor to successful cell function and growth, even in cancer cells.<ref>{{Citation |last1=Fleischer |first1=Frank |title=Analysis of Spatial Point Patterns in Microscopic and Macroscopic Biological Image Data |date=2006-01-01 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/226550759 |work=Case Studies in Spatial Point Process Modeling |pages=235–260 |isbn=978-0-387-28311-1 |access-date=2022-05-12 |last2=Beil |first2=Michael |last3=Kazda |first3=Marian |last4=Schmidt |first4=Volker}}</ref>

=== Chemistry and physics ===
[[File:Arnager-kalk-bornholm 09 hg.jpg|thumb|Photomicrograph of Arnager Kalk ("Arnager Limestone"), taken with a Scanning Electron Microscope. From the Upper Cretaceous of Bornholm, Denmark: a microscopic view of prismatic crystals and spheroidal aggregates of unidentified authigenic minerals.<ref>{{Citation |last=Grobe/AWI |first=Hannes |title=SEM photomicrograph of Arnager Kalk ("Arnager Limestone") from the Upper Cretaceous of Bornholm, Denmark: close up of prismatic crystals and spheroidal aggregates of unidentified authigenic minerals. |date=1980-04-07 |url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Arnager-kalk-bornholm_09_hg.jpg |access-date=2022-05-27}}</ref>]]
The [[entropy]] and disorder of the universe can be observed at a microscopic scale, with reference to the second and third [[Laws of thermodynamics|law of thermodynamics]]. In some cases, this can involve calculating the entropy change within a container of expanding gas molecules and relating it to the entropy change of its environment and the universe.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=OpenStax |last2=Herrera-Siklody |first2=Paula |date=2016-08-03 |title=4.7 Entropy on a Microscopic Scale |url=https://pressbooks.online.ucf.edu/phy2048tjb/chapter/4-7-entropy-on-a-microscopic-scale/ |language=en}}</ref>

=== Ecology ===
Ecologists  monitor the state of an ecosystem over time by identifying microscopic features within the environment. This includes the temperature and {{CO2}} tolerance of microorganisms such as ciliates, and their interactions with othrt Protozoa. Additionally, microscopic factors such as movement and motility can be observed in water samples of that ecosystem.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Bamforth |first=Stuart S. |date=1980 |title=Test Tube and Microscope in Microbial Ecology |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/3225699 |journal=Transactions of the American Microscopical Society |volume=99 |issue=2 |pages=145–151 |doi=10.2307/3225699 |jstor=3225699 |issn=0003-0023|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

=== Geology ===
Branches of [[geology]] involve the study of the Earth's structure at a microscopic level. Physical characteristics of rocks are recorded, and in [[petrography]] there is a specific focus on the examination of microscopic details of rocks. Similar to scanning electron microscopes, electron microprobes can be used in [[petrology]] to observe the condition that allows rocks to form, which can inform the origin of these samples. In [[structural geology]], petrographic microscopes allow the study of rock microstructures, to determine how geologic features such as [[Plate tectonics|tectonic plates]] affect the likelihood of earthquakes and groundwater movement.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How are Microscopes Used in Geology |url=https://microscopeinternational.com/how-are-microscopes-used-in-geology/ |access-date=2022-05-23 |website=New York Microscope Company |language=en}}</ref>