A biological microscope is generally a type of optical microscope that is primarily designed to observe cells, tissues, and other biological specimens. Multiple objective lenses can be attached, which gives these microscopes a magnification that can range anywhere from 10x - 1,000x or more. Since these systems are used mainly to look at very flat samples (e.g. microscope slides, Petri dishes, well-plates, etc.), the objective lenses have short working distances and high numerical apertures.
Biological microscopes are used to study organisms and their vital processes. Microscopes used in this field range widely, from relatively simple optical microscopes to very advanced imaging systems used in cell research, forensic medicine, and state-of-the-art high-resolution molecular studies.