Under the microscope lenses. New worlds

Abstract

Here begins a story of microscopic observations that will continue in future issues of the journal. In addition to allowing the discovery of organisms invisible to the naked eye and providing fundamental contributions to the knowledge of the fine structure of visible ones, microscopic observation has also contributed to the study of the mechanisms of reproduction and development. This article traces the uncertain origins of the microscope and then focuses on the figures of Antony van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723) and Jan Swammerdam (1637-1680).