4.4 Microscopy - Light vs Electron Microscopes

Question 1

How do electron microscopes differ from light microscopes?

Answer 1

Electron microscopes have a higher magnification and resolution than light microscopes, so they let us see much smaller things in more detail like the internal structure of mitochondria and chloroplasts. Electron microscopes have a resolution 2000x better than light microscopes.

Question 2

What are the pros of light microscopes? (3)

Answer 2

• Small
• Easy to use
• Relatively cheap

Question 3

What are the cons of light microscopes?

Answer 3

As they rely on light, which has a wavelength of 0.2 micrometers, the resolution is limited to 0.2 micrometers as well. This means any details less than 0.2 micrometers will appear blurry.

Question 4

What are the cons of electron microscopes? (2)

Answer 4

• Very expensive
• Hard to use (only used by scientists in laboratories)

Question 5

What are the pros of electron microscopes?

Answer 5

They use electrons instead of light and electrons have a wavelength of 0.1 nanometers and so their maximum resolution is 0.1 nanometers. The electron microscopes have a resolution that is 2000x better than light microscopes. We can use them to study sub cellular structures, like mitochondria.