Microscopy Techniques Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the main advantage of electron microscopy over light microscopy?

Less expensive equipment

Greater ease of sample preparation

Ability to produce color images

Higher resolution due to electrons being smaller than visible light wavelength (correct)

Which method uses a small point of high-intensity light and a pinhole aperture for better resolution and focus?

Phase-contrast microscopy

Confocal microscopy (correct)

Fluorescence microscopy

Transmission electron microscopy

What is the main difference between transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)?

TEM forms images by passing electrons through the specimen while SEM scans the specimen surface with the electron beam (correct)

SEM uses visible light for imaging while TEM uses electrons

TEM can only show surface views while SEM can analyze internal surfaces after sectioning

SEM provides higher resolution than TEM due to a different electron beam configuration

What feature of confocal microscopy helps in achieving better resolution and focus?

Small point of high-intensity light and pinhole aperture Signup and view all the answers

In phase-contrast microscopy, what type of objects can be imaged effectively?

Transparent objects Signup and view all the answers

What is the resolving power of a conventional light microscope?

0.2μm Signup and view all the answers

What type of microscopy involves staining tissues with a fluorescent dye and irradiating them with UV light?

Fluorescence microscopy Signup and view all the answers

Which microscopy technique is widely used to observe live cells grown in tissue culture?

Phase-contrast microscopy Signup and view all the answers

Which type of microscope utilizes bright-field illumination?

Phase-contrast microscope Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the condenser in a microscope optical system?

Collect and focus a cone of light that illuminates the tissue slide on the stage Signup and view all the answers

What is the ability of a microscope to discriminate two closely spaced points called?

Resolution Signup and view all the answers

Which type of microscopy allows the visualization of cell boundaries, nuclei, and cytoplasmic structures based on their different refractive indices?

Phase-contrast microscopy Signup and view all the answers

Which type of microscopy uses laser light to create high-resolution images?

Fluorescence microscopy Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary tool used in the study of histology?

Light microscope Signup and view all the answers

At what magnification level do objective lenses typically allow observation of a large area (field) of tissue?

X4 Signup and view all the answers

Which microscopy technique requires fixation and staining to observe cellular details?

Bright-field microscopy Signup and view all the answers

Among the different types of microscopes, which one provides complementary information at different levels of resolution and magnification?

Electron microscopes Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Histology Terminology

Lamina: a plate or layer
Lobule: a small lobe
Locule: a small place or compartment
Lumen: light or space enclosed by a tubular or vesicular structure
Lysis: dissolution or breakdown
Matrix: a supporting structure or framework
Medulla: the inner portion of an organ, in contrast to the cortex
Squamous: flat or scale-like
Stratum: a layer or level
Stroma: the internal supporting framework of a tissue or organ
Tunica: a sheath or covering layer
Zona: a girdle or zone

Microscopy

Primary tool used in the study of histology
Produces an enlarged image and enhances contrast for resolving details

Types of Microscopes

Light microscope: uses bright-field illumination, with a resolving power of about 0.2μm
Electron microscope: uses a beam of electrons, allowing a 1000-fold increase in resolution
Phase-contrast microscopy: uses a lens system to produce visible images from transparent objects
Confocal microscopy: uses a small point of high-intensity light (laser) and a pinhole aperture to obtain better resolution and focus

Electron Microscopy

Transmission electron microscope (TEM): configured like an upside-down light microscope, with electrons passing through a hole in the anode and forming a beam
Electrons reaching the objective lens form an image that is then magnified and projected on a fluorescent screen or CCD monitor
Areas of the specimen through which electrons pass appear bright (electron lucent), while denser areas or those that bind heavy metal ions appear darker (electron dense)

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)

Has many similarities to TEM, but the focused electron beam does not pass through the specimen, instead being scanned sequentially across its surface
Specimens are coated with metal atoms that interact with the electron beam, producing reflected electrons and secondary electrons
Produces a black-and-white image on the monitor with a striking 3D, shadowed quality

Cell Structure and Function

Plasma membrane: acts as a physical barrier to enclose cell contents, regulates material movement, establishes and maintains an electrical charge difference, and functions in cell communication
Glycocalyx: a delicate cell surface coating composed of glycolipids with oligosaccharide chains that extend outward from the cell surface

Light Microscopy

Most cells absorb very little light, so staining is needed to increase light absorption
Types of light microscopy: bright-field, phase-contrast, and differential interference microscopy
Optical system components: condenser, objective lenses, and eyepiece/ocular

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Description

Test your knowledge on different microscopy techniques including phase-contrast, confocal, and electron microscopy. Learn about how each technique works and their applications in biological imaging.