L6 Types of Microscopes

Milan is a scientist studying the geometry of different types of viruses. She uses a particular type of microscope to generate the three-dimensional image of the surface shape of adenoviruses shown below. The image is magnified 125,000x.   

What type of microscope must have Milan used to generate this image of adenoviruses?

• Compound light microscope

• Simple (single-lens) light microscope

• Scanning electron microscope (SEM)

• Transmission electron microscope (TEM)

Light microscopes are widely useful tools for viewing cells and tissues.  However, light microscopes are limited by the wave-like nature of light; as the magnification increases, the image is less clear. Most light microscopes only magnify an image up to 1000x, or possibly up to 2000x, larger.

If a student needed to view a cell structure at much higher magnification (such as 100,000x magnified), how would the student be able to generate a clear image?

• They should use a brighter light source to illuminate the side. 

• They should use an electron microscope such as an SEM or TEM.

• They should use a lower-power objective lens in the microscope.

• They should stack the eyepiece lenses from multiple light microscopes.

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NGSS.HS-PS4-5

Which of the following microscopes would be BEST to observe a living organism in pond water?

• Scanning electron microscope

• Transmission electron microscopy

• Either scanning or transmission electron microscope

• Compound light microscope

Nicholas went to the pond and collected samples. He wants to examine the ultrastructure of the cells found in his sample. 

Use the table to help you determine your answer.

Which microscope(s) would he use to for this?

• Scanning Electron

• Light

• Transmission Electron

• Scanning Electron or Transmission Electron

If a scientist is attempting to view the external surface of a bacterial cell with an emphasis on surface detail, what statement BEST explains what type of microscope to select in this scenario, with a rationale for using that particular kind of microscope?

• A Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) because it produces images by scanning specimens with a focused beam of electrons in order to provide a surface image of the organism.

• A Transmission Electron Microscope (SEM) because it produces images by scanning speciements with a focused beam of electrons in order to provide a surface image of the organism.

• A Compound Light Microscope because it produces imaged by scanning specimens with a focused beam of electrons in order to provide a surface image of the organism.

• A Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) because it produces images by scanning specimens with a focused beam of electrons in order to provide magnified detailed internal images of organelles.

What is resolution

• How focused or blurry an image is

• The number of times bigger the image is than the specimen

• The smallest distance apart of 2 points where they can still be distinguished as separate

• A very detailed microscope image, including detail of subcellular structures

Which can give the highest magnification?

• light microscope

• SEM

• TEM