1. Light Microscopes: These use visible light and lenses to magnify objects. They are further divided into:

* Compound light microscopes: Use multiple lenses to achieve higher magnification.

* Stereomicroscopes (dissecting microscopes): Provide a three-dimensional view of the specimen.

2. Electron Microscopes: These use a beam of electrons to create images of objects. They offer much higher magnification than light microscopes, allowing us to see objects at the nanometer scale. They are further divided into:

* Transmission Electron Microscopes (TEM): Electrons pass through the specimen, creating a two-dimensional image.

* Scanning Electron Microscopes (SEM): Electrons scan the surface of the specimen, creating a three-dimensional image.