The microscope in cell studies

Need to know

What you need to know

• **Staining:** Most biological specimens are transparent. Stains are used in light microscopy to add contrast, making different structures or organelles visible. Examples include methylene blue for animal cells and iodine for plant cells.
• **Electron Microscopy:** TEM and SEM use a beam of electrons, which have a much shorter wavelength than light. This is why they can achieve much higher resolution and magnification.
• **Specimen Preparation:** Preparing specimens for electron microscopy is a complex process involving fixation, dehydration, and embedding in resin. For TEM, specimens must be cut into extremely thin sections. For SEM, the specimen's surface is coated with a fine film of heavy metal.

Explanation

The microscope in cell studies

1. **Staining:** Most biological specimens are transparent. Stains are used in light microscopy to add contrast, making different structures or organelles visible. Examples include methylene blue for animal cells and iodine for plant cells.
2. **Electron Microscopy:** TEM and SEM use a beam of electrons, which have a much shorter wavelength than light. This is why they can achieve much higher resolution and magnification.
3. **Specimen Preparation:** Preparing specimens for electron microscopy is a complex process involving fixation, dehydration, and embedding in resin. For TEM, specimens must be cut into extremely thin sections. For SEM, the specimen's surface is coated with a fine film of heavy metal.