3.2 Light vs electron microscope

Question 1

two types of microscopes:

Answer 1

light and electron microscope

Question 2

why is the resolution higher in an electron microscope?

Answer 2

electrons have a shorter wavelength

Question 3

resolution; light vs electron

Answer 3

light - 200 nm
electron - 0.2nm

Question 4

magnification; light vs electron

Answer 4

light - 1500x
electron - up to 500,000x

Question 5

specimens in light microscopes:

Answer 5

Living specimens can be observed
thin sections allow colour images

Question 6

specimens in electron microscopes:

Answer 6

specimens must be dead and viewed in a vacuum
harsh preliminary treatments needed may cause distortions (artefacts)

Question 7

images; light vs electron

Answer 7

light
-staining not always needed, so real colours can be seen
-staining of thin sections allow colour images

electron
-staining using heavy metal dyes are always needed
- images are black and white (can have false colours)

Question 8

cost; light vs electron

Answer 8

light - within budgets of schools and individuals
electron - within the budget of universities and research labs only