Light Microscopes vs Electron Microscopes Flashcards

Questions and Answers

How do light microscopes work?

Light clarifies image and lens refracts light around the glass to produce image.

What are the advantages of light microscopes? (Select all that apply)

Thin specimens can be alive (correct)

They are the most expensive type of microscope

They are the cheapest type of microscope (correct)

They are the most common type of microscope (correct)

What are the disadvantages of light microscopes? (Select all that apply)

Resolutions limited to 200nm (correct)

Magnification limited to 2000x (correct)

Specimens can be observed in color

Requires staining (correct)

How do scanning electron microscopes work?

A beam of electrons hit the surface of the specimen creating a 3D image. Signup and view all the answers

Scanning electron microscopes can observe live specimens.

False Signup and view all the answers

What are the advantages of scanning electron microscopes? (Select all that apply)

High resolution Signup and view all the answers

What are the disadvantages of scanning electron microscopes? (Select all that apply)

Uses heavy gold ions Signup and view all the answers

How do transmission electron microscopes work?

A beam of electrons pass through the specimen and focus on the screen below. Signup and view all the answers

What are the advantages of transmission electron microscopes? (Select all that apply)

Can show images up to 500,000x magnification Signup and view all the answers

What are the disadvantages of transmission electron microscopes? (Select all that apply)

Thin specimens only Signup and view all the answers

Actual size = ____

Image size / magnification Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Light Microscopes

Use light and lenses to clarify images through refraction.
Can view living specimens as they require thin samples.
Cost-effective and widely accessible for general use.
Limitations include staining requirements, magnification up to 2000x, and resolution limited to 200nm.

Scanning Electron Microscopes (SEM)

Operate by directing a beam of electrons onto a specimen's surface to generate 3D images.
Offer high resolution and significant magnification capabilities.
Require specimens to be non-living, typically coated with heavy gold ions, which may damage the specimen.
Images must be captured in a vacuum environment and are generally more costly, primarily used in research laboratories.

Transmission Electron Microscopes (TEM)

Function by passing a beam of electrons through a thin specimen, focusing the result on a screen.
Allow for extreme magnification, up to 500,000x, and provide superior resolution.
Can only examine thin specimens; often employ heavy positively charged ions for staining which can harm samples.
Designs are expensive and used mainly in research settings, producing black and white images exclusively.

Calculating Actual Size

Actual size is determined using the formula: Image size divided by magnification.

Description

Explore the differences between light and electron microscopes through these flashcards. Learn how light microscopes work, their advantages and disadvantages, and compare them with electron microscopes to enhance your understanding of microscopy. Perfect for students and enthusiasts alike.