Final answer:
A compound light microscope uses lenses to magnify specimens, while a transmission electron microscope (TEM) and a scanning electron microscope (SEM) use beams of electrons to create detailed images. Light microscopes can view specimens in their living state, while electron microscopes provide higher magnification and resolution. An advantage of light microscopes is their ability to observe living processes, while electron microscopes offer detailed examination of surface features and internal structures.
Step-by-step explanation:
A compound light microscope uses a combination of lenses to magnify specimens and allows for viewing them in a living state. A transmission electron microscope (TEM) uses a beam of electrons, which provides higher magnification and resolving power but the preparation of a specimen for TEM kills it. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) also uses a beam of electrons but it scans the surface of the specimen to create detailed 3D images.
One advantage of a light microscope is that it can be used to view specimens in their natural, living state. This is useful for observing processes such as cell division or movement. One advantage of an electron microscope, whether it is TEM or SEM, is the higher magnification and resolving power, allowing for detailed examination of surface features and internal structures of specimens.