Light microscopes and Electron microscopes

Feature Light microscope Electron Microscope

Radiation used UV sunlight rays, Monochromatic radiation
artificial light
Radiation source Sun and artificial light Artificial radiation
Nature of lenses Ocular Electron
Lenses used Optical Electrostatic and
electromagnetic
Image seen 2D images 3D images
Magnification x1500 X20000
What it can show Soil, Hair cells, Blood Cancer cells,
cells, Pollen cells and DNA…..cells in detail
skin cells and very small cells

Light microscope
• Samples can be easily prepared for examination
• A sample can be placed on a slide with a few drops of water and a
cover slip
• A image can be obtained in seconds
• Living specimens may survive the mounting
• It is possible to see moving organisms
• See samples in colour whether it is artificial or natural colours
• Cannot see cells in detail
• Cannot see very small cells

Animal cell

Onion cell

Electron microscope
 • Can view 3 dimensional shapes
• Can see cells, specimens and samples in detail (internal structures,
membranes, cell walls etc)
• Specimens may not survive the mounting or process due to radioactive
tracers
• Cannot observe specimen movement
• See specimens and samples in only black, white and grey
• There are two types of electron microscopes, scanner and
transmission

Scanner

Pollen cells

Cancer cell
Transmission