Question

To study the details of protein molecules on the surface of a cell, a biologist would likely use a what?

Answer 1

Because proteins are so small, it would need to be a very powerful microscope. The only sort of microscopes with that kind of power are electron microscopes. There are two kinds of electron microscopes which differ in their capabilities. The transmission electron microscope or TEM is good for looking at cross sections through a cell. The scanning electron microscope or SEM scans along the surface of something by bouncing a beam of electrons off it and gathering info from their refraction pattern.

Because these proteins are on the surface of a cell, which of the two kinds of electron microscope would you most likely use?

Answer 2

wow thanks that was very helpful!!!!

Answer 3

You're quite welcome! :P