Question

Compare and contrast a compound light microscope and a transmission electron microscope. Be sure to discuss the structure and operation of each, as well as the function and usefulness of each when examining specimens.

Answer 1

\(\Huge{\color{red}{\bigstar}\color{blue}{\bigstar}\color{green}{\bigstar}\color{yellow}{\bigstar}\color{orange}{\bigstar}\color{red}{\bigstar}\color{blue}{\bigstar}\color{green}{\bigstar}\color{yellow}{\bigstar}\color{orange}{\bigstar}\color{red}{\bigstar}\color{blue}{\bigstar}\color{green}{\bigstar}\color{yellow}{\bigstar}}\\\color{white}{.}\\\Huge\color{blue}{\mathfrak{~~~~Welcome~to~OpenStudy!~\ddot\smile}}\\\color{white}{.}\\\\\Huge{\color{red}{\bigstar}\color{blue}{\bigstar}\color{green}{\bigstar}\color{yellow}{\bigstar}\color{orange}{\bigstar}\color{red}{\bigstar}\color{blue}{\bigstar}\color{green}{\bigstar}\color{yellow}{\bigstar}\color{orange}{\bigstar}\color{red}{\bigstar}\color{blue}{\bigstar}\color{green}{\bigstar}\color{yellow}{\bigstar}}\)

Answer 2

As far as usefulness goes, compound microscopes are MUCH less expensive and so can be purchased on most research budgets. They run maybe between USD 200 and 1000. Transmission EM scopes run about $2,000,000 for a decent one. EMs are also more expensive to operate: they require special rooms, and it can be very expensive to produce the electron beam.

Of course, the resolution is much higher. Compound microscopes are limited by the wavelength of light (max about 2000x), whereas EM can magnify specimens up to about 500,000x. This is a huge advantage of using EM, especially if you need to resolve tiny objects or structures in your specimen.

However, unlike EM, light microscopes can look at live specimens. So, if your work requires the microscopic views of living organisms, the EM is completely useless. Light microscopes also produce color image: the micrographs from EMs are black-and-white. If you need to see color, you can't use EM.

Finally, your specimen is destroyed after the lengthy prep and viewing in an electron microscope. The material in light microscopy doesn't have to be destroyed, but the use of special stains may be necessary to see cells or cell structures.

it may help you