Different microscopes Flashcards
What are light microscopes used to see?
Living specimens
What are transmission electron microscopes used to see?
They are used to see organelles
Do electrons microscopes show colour?
No
What are scanning electron microscopes used to see?
Cell surfaces
What are laser scanning confocal microscopes used to see?
An object at a certain depth within a cell
What kind of things can LSCM be used for?
Can be used to track chemicals as they travel through the body
How do light microscopes work?
A condenser light focusses light on the specimen
How does a transmission electron microscope work?
It uses electromagnets to focus a beam of electrons
Beams are transmitted through the specimen
Denser areas absorb more electrons
How do scanning electron microscopes work?
Scans a beam of electrons
The beam of electrons scans across the surface
Electrons are collected in a cathode ray tube to form an image
How do LSCM work?
Laser scans a slice of the specimen
It forms an image at a particular depth
Fluorescence dye is added to the specimen
How do you prepare a specimen in a light microscope?
Dry mount
Wet mount
Squash sides
Smear slides
How do prepare a specimen for a transmission electron microscope?
Specimens placed in hard resin
This makes it easier to cut
Specimens are cut very thin
They are mounted and put into a vacuum
How do you prepare a specimen for a sem?
Mount it to prevent it getting contaminated
How do you prepare a specimen for a lscm?
Fluorescent dyes to add to specimen
To highlight all the organelles
What is the highest magnification on a light microscope?
1500x or 2000x
