how to determine what microscope to use??

[fan2342]

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I have been hearing there are some questions that ask what microscope would you use to look at something? One example is mitochondria but if they give me a random item or organelle, how would I know what microscope to use?

thanks

 

[DAT Destroyer]

I have been hearing there are some questions that ask what microscope would you use to look at something? One example is mitochondria but if they give me a random item or organelle, how would I know what microscope to use?

thanks

If you just need to look at different cells, you will use a light microscope, but higher magnification. However, when you need to study and visualize any organelle, you must use an Electron microscope, because it will give you the level of magnification needed.
One of the disadvantages of using an Electron microscope is that a cell must be fixed, so you cannot study life processes.
In order to visualize a life process, one uses a Fluorescent microscope.

Hope this helps.

 

[fan2342]

If you just need to look at different cells, you will use a light microscope, but higher magnification. However, when you need to study and visualize any organelle, you must use an Electron microscope, because it will give you the level of magnification needed.
One of the disadvantages of using an Electron microscope is that a cell must be fixed, so you cannot study life processes.
In order to visualize a life process, one uses a Fluorescent microscope.

Hope this helps.

So what would you use for a mitochondria? a TEM or SEM?

 

[Bingwen]

Someone can correct me if I am wrong but typically an SEM is used for looking at surfaces while the TEM is for looking at internal structures. So if it is still in the cell then TEM. Neither can be used to look at an "alive" mitochondria. As Orogman22 said you will need a fluorescent microscope to look at that.

Hope this helps.

 

[DAT Destroyer]

So what would you use for a mitochondria? a TEM or SEM?

If you would like to only observe Mitochondria and its surface, use SEM. However, if you want to see what is inside the Mitochondria, use TEM.

 

[fan2342]

If you would like to only observe Mitochondria and its surface, use SEM. However, if you want to see what is inside the Mitochondria, use TEM.

Okay thank you I understand. What type of structures does the DAT normally ask to identify? Like when they do ask these questions, is it normally asking about organelles?