Microscopes Flashcards
What are the 3 main types of microscopes?
- Scanning electron microscope
- Transmission electron microscope.
- Optical microscope.
Magnification DEF
- How many times larger an image is compared to the actual object.
Resolution Def
- The ability to distinguish between two points on an image ie amount of detail.
What does the resolution of an image depend on in an electron vs light/ optical microscope?
- Light: depends on wavelength of light (long wavelength of light —> lower resolution.)
- Electron: wavelength of the beam of electrons (shorter wavelength of electrons –> higher resolution.)
Resolution DEF
- The ability to distinguish between two points on an image.
How does light microscope work?
- Light is condensed to create image.
Advantages of light microscopes.
4 main advantages
- Coloured images.
- Can view living samples.
- No risk of artefacts.
- Simple sample prep
Disadvantages of light microscopes.
give 2
- Lower resolution as light has longer wavelength than a beam of electrons.
- Lower magnification
How do electron microscopes work IN GENERAL?
- Beam of electrons condensed to create image.
- Electromagnets are used to condense the beam.
Specifically, how does SEM work?
- Electrons bounce off surface (scatter in different ways depending on the contours) of specimen and are condensed by electromagnets to create image.
() - extra information.
Specifically, how does a TEM work?
- Electrons pass through thin specimen (some absorbed, some pass straight through.)
- Denser parts (of specimen) absorb more electrons (appear darker.) Parts where electrons gone straight through = white.
Why must specimens under an electron microscope be in a vaccum? What does this explain?
- Because electrons are absorbed by air.
- This explains why only non-living specimens can be examined.
Because electrons have a shorter wavelength than light, what advantage does this give both electron microscopes?
- Shorter wavelength = higher resolution (allowing internal structures/ smaller organelles to be observed.)
When using SEM, do the specimens need to be as thin as when using a TEM microscope?
- No. Specimens don’t have to be AS thin.
What images are produced by light (optical) microscope and a TEM microscope?
- 2D images.