Question

Compare and contrast a compound light microscope and 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

The compound light and TEM are used to view specimens and their many structures as an enlarged image.  

The compound light microscope is less complicated and allows users to view living and dead specimens, tissue samples, blood, microorganisms in pond water, microscopic cells, and the larger details within the cells. This is due to the microscopes having a magnification up to 1,500 times. In order for this microscope to work the light source which is below the stage,shines up through the thin specimen and then through the magnification lenses. The specimen can be prepared for viewing by it being placed on a rectangular glass slide. It can be stained with a dye that adds contrast to nearly transparent cells. This microscope contains 3-4 different objective lenses. These lenses are used to view the surfaces of specimens at high levels of magnification.

On the other hand TEM'S allow users to only view dead specimens and are a lot more technical and giv

e more insight on the specimen being studied at hand. This type of microscope is useful for studying the details of a specimens internal structures of cells at a close rate, this is due to the microscope having a resolving power 1,000 times greater than the resolving power of a light microscope. In order for this microscope to work a beam of electrons pass through a thin specimen similar to how a compound light microscope transmits light. Scientists can apply stain to the specimen to increase contrast in the image. This microscope contains an infrared camera instead of a lenses. The camera is used to view the interior of the stage without opening the specimen stage door

Answer 2

Time for microscopes 101. There are two major types of microscopes; light and electron. In a light microscope the image if seen by refracting light through 2 or more lenses which result in a magnified image of the specimen being viewed. However there are limits to the ability to view these and they are not powerful enough to view very small object. An electron microscope which was referred to in the question works by cutting the specimen to be viewed into a very small piece and then bombarding it with electrons which result in a much clearer and more magnified viewing. HOWEVER, Electron microscopes do not work on living things while regular light microscopes do. Also, due to way how electron microscopes are made they are not common in everyday laboratories and are very expensive to buy.  comment below if you need anything else