Question

Dr. Murphy and Dr. Lee are scientists. They are looking at the same type of cells under a microscope. Dr. Murphy can see only the nucleus and the cell membrane. Dr. Lee can see the nucleus, the cell membrane, the endoplasmic reticulum, the ribosomes, and the mitochondria. What best describes this scenario?

Dr. Murphy is using an electron microscope; Dr. Lee is using a light microscope. Dr. Lee is using an electron microscope; Dr. Murphy is using a light microscope. Dr. Murphy’s cells were cultured incorrectly; Dr. Lee’s cells were cultured correctly. Dr. Lee’s cells were cultured incorrectly; Dr. Murphy’s cells were cultured correctly.

Answer 1

Answer: Dr Lee is using an electron microscope. Dr. Murphy is using a light microscope.

Explanation: Light microscope uses visible light to magnify an image. What happens is that visible light passes through the cell and is bent through the lenses allowing the observer to see a magnified image of the object. With light microscope, the scientist can see a coloured image and detailed internal structure. It can be performed in live cells and observe its normal behaviour. The microscope has low resolution, magnification of 500x to 1500x, there is no need for for high voltage or cooling system and there is no risk of radiation leakage.

Electron microscope produces an image using a beam of electrons, which have shorter wavelength allowing the image to be of high resolution. With electron microscope, the scientist can see subcellular structures and compartments within the cell. It can be used only on dead or dried specimen, all lenses are eletromagnetic, has a magnification of 100,000x to 300,000x, the image is in black and white, it needs high voltage electric current, cooling system and a tungsten filament to produce electrons. There is a risk of radiation leakage. The sample seen in the electron microscope needs to be in vaccum to be observed in electron microscope.

Answer 2

The second option which says "Dr. Lee is using an electron microscope; Dr. Murphy is using a light microscope" is the correct option. This is because unlike electron microscopy that show cell organelles in details, most organelles are not clearly visible by light microscopy.