Electron Microscopy Flashcards
Recall - electron microscopy
Electron microscopes have a much higher resolution than light microscopes because they use electrons rather than light.
This means they are highly useful in imaging sub cellular compartments, for example, contractile, machinery of myocytes proteins and other macromolecules.
They can also be used to show the structure of viruses.
Slides for electron microscopes require more complex preparation
They are very useful for linking macromolecular structure and function and have helped in understanding the cell
Transmission electron microscope have a resolution of 10 to 0.5 nm into magnification of times 1 million.
The electron beam penetrates a section and electrons are absorbed by any material they meet, which, then, in tracts with a phosphorescent screen
This type of microscopy requires thin plastic resin section of around 50 to 100 nm thick
Electron microscopes have a resolution of to 2,0.2 nm on a magnification of times 100,000.
A thicker sample can be used as a surface is scanned by a probe with electrons, interacting with sample to cause secondary electrons to balance of the sample, which are then detected and shown on a screen
Extension
Samples are stained with heavy metal salts, for example, uranium, or lead in transmission microscopy
Scanning, electron microscope’s are used to study the surface of cells and organelles