A number of different types of microscopy exist Each type of

A number of different types of microscopy exist. Each type of microscopy has advantagesand disadvantages. Can you identify the microscope that would be most advantageous for thesituations below?

a. A cell biologist wishes to visualize the ribosomes of a cell.

b. A microbiologist wishes to examine how a 5um bacterium swims through liquid medium.

c. An immunologist wishes to determine if a lymphocyte possesses a certain protein on theplasma membrane.

d. A virologist is trying to determine the three-dimensional shape of a virus.

e. A pathologist is trying to examine the cytoplasm of a cell for changes that result fromviral infection.

Solution

a. Transmission electron microscope is used to visualize the ribosomes of a cell.

b. Phase-contrast or dark-field microscope is used to examine motolity of bacterium in liquid medium

c. Fluorescent microscope is used to determine if a lymphocyte possesses a certain protein on theplasma membrane.

d. Scanning electron microscope is used to determine the three-dimensional shape of a virus.

e. Scanning electron microscope is used to examine the cytoplasm of a cell for changes that result fromviral infection.