The discovery that chromosomes are involved in inheritance was made possible by the invention of the -

The discovery that chromosomes are involved in inheritance was significantly aided by the invention of the compound microscope. This type of microscope allows for higher magnification and improved resolution compared to other microscopes, enabling scientists to observe cells in greater detail. Through the use of the compound microscope, researchers could visualize the behavior of chromosomes during cell division (mitosis and meiosis). These observations were crucial in linking the physical structures within cells, namely chromosomes, to the processes of heredity and inheritance. This connection laid the groundwork for modern genetics, as it demonstrated that chromosomes carry the genetic information passed from one generation to the next. The compound microscope's ability to reveal these details was not matched by other types of microscopes at the time, such as the dissecting microscope or stereoscope, which are better suited for viewing larger, three-dimensional objects rather than the fine details within cells.