Question

The advantage of light microscopy over electron microscopy is that

A) light microscopy provides for higher magnification than electron microscopy.
B) light microscopy provides for higher resolving power than electron microscopy.
C) light microscopy allows one to view dynamic processes in living cells.
D) light microscopy provides higher contrast than electron microscopy.
E) specimen preparation for light microcopy does not produce artifacts.

Answer 1

The advantage of light microscopy is that it allows for the observation of live cells and dynamic processes, unlike electron microscopy which requires specimens to be fixed, dehydrated, and viewed in a vacuum, resulting in the death of the cells.

Step-by-step explanation:

The advantage of light microscopy over electron microscopy is C) light microscopy allows one to view dynamic processes in living cells. While electron microscopes offer significantly higher magnification and resolving power, they require specimens to be fixed and dehydrated, a process that kills living cells. In contrast, light microscopes can be used to observe living cells in action, which is essential for studying cellular processes in real time.

Electron microscopy uses a beam of electrons which provides greater detail and resolving power, but the requirement for an electron vacuum and processing methods make it impossible to view live specimens. Light microscopy, on the other hand, can operate in natural conditions and is thus suitable for examining living organisms, helping to observe phenomena such as cell division, movement, and interactions.