Microscopes

• What is an electron microscope used for?

  It uses a beam of electrons to see inside cells with high magnification and resolution.
• How does a light microscope differ from an electron microscope?

  A light microscope uses visible light to detect and magnify small objects whereas elctron microscopes use a beam of electrons.
• What does the eyepiece lens do in a microscope?

  It magnifies the image viewed through the microscope.
• What is the function of the objective lens in a microscope?

  It provides different levels of magnification for the specimen.
• What is the role of the arm in a microscope?

  It supports the body tube and connects it to the base.
• What is the purpose of the stage in a microscope?

  It holds the slide containing the specimen for observation.
• What does the fine focus knob do in a microscope?

  It allows for precise focusing of the image.
• What is the function of the coarse focus knob in a microscope?

  It quickly brings the specimen into general focus.
• What is the function of the lamp source in a microscope?

  It provides illumination for viewing the specimen.
• What is the purpose of the base in a microscope?

  It supports the entire microscope and provides stability.
• What is a light microscope?

  A light microscope uses light to detect and magnify small objects.
• Properties of a light microscope 


  They are quite cheap, easy to use, can magnify living cells and produce coloured 2D images.
• Properties of electron microscopes

  More detailed than light microscope, can be used to see smaller organelles that cannot be seen with light microscopes e.g ribosomes.

  Large, very expensive, cannot be used for live organelles and produces 3D images in black and white.