microscopy Flashcards
how does a light microscope work?
light from a light source underneath the specimen passes through the specimen
what is the resolution of an light microscope?
200nm
what is the magnification of an light microscope?
x1500
what are the strengths of light microscopes?
- colour image
- uses live specimens
what are the weaknesses of light microscopes?
- poor resolution
- 2D image
what do light microscopes allow us to see?
whole cells/tissues
why is resolution of a light microscope limited?
light has a larger wavelength
how does a transmission electron microscope work?
electrons are transmitted through a specimen and denser parts of the specimen absorb more electrons, becoming darker
what is the resolution of a TEM?
0.5nm
what is the magnification of a TEM?
x1,000,000
what are the strengths of TEMs?
- good resolution
what are the weaknesses of TEMs?
- black and white image
- 2D image
- specimens must be dead
what do TEMs allow us to see?
small organelles
how do scanning electron microscopes work?
electron beam is scanned across the specimen surface and electrons bounce off, gathering in a cathode ray tube
what is the resolution of SEMs?
2nm
what is the magnification of SEMs?
x500,000
what are the strengths of SEMs?
3D image
what are the weaknesses of SEMs?
- black and white image
- specimen must be dead
how do laser scanning confocal microscopes work?
- laser beam focuses on a small area on a sample surface
- fluorophores in the sample emit photons
- photomultiplier tube amplifies signal onto a detector
- image is produced in pixels
what is the magnification calculation?
mag = image / actual
what does magnification mean?
how many times larger the image is compared to the object
what does resolution mean?
the ability to distinguish between two points
which lens is the objective?
near to specimen
which lens is the eyepiece?
used to view specimen