A number of different types of microscopy exist. Each type of microscopy has advantages and disadvantages. Can you identify the microscope that would be most advantageous for the situations below?
a. A cell biologist wishes to visualize the ribosomes of a cell.
b. A microbiologist wishes to examine the motility of a bacterium.
c. An immunologist wishes to determine if a lymphocyte possesses a certain surface protein.
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 from viral infection.
What will be an ideal response?
Answer:
a. Electron microscopy, preferably transmission electron microscopy, should be used.
b. Phase contrast or differential-interference-contrast would be most helpful.
c. Fluorescence microscopy is often used.
d. Scanning electron microscopy should be used.
e. Transmission electron microscopy will enable the pathologist to visualize the interior.
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