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Which of the following is NOT useful for observing living cells?

A. scanning electron microscope
B. phase-contrast microscope
C. scanning acoustic microscope
D. brightfield microscope
E. darkfield microscope

1 Answer

2 votes

Final answer:

Scanning electron microscope is NOT useful for observing living cells because the vacuum environment and specimen preparation required for electron microscopy kills the cells, unlike light microscopy methods.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct option is A. scanning electron microscope. Electron microscopes, such as the scanning electron microscope and the transmission electron microscope, require a vacuum environment and the specimen preparation process for viewing kills the cells.

Therefore, living cells cannot be observed using electron microscopy. In contrast, light microscopes like the phase-contrast microscope, brightfield microscope, and darkfield microscope enable the observation of living cells, as they do not require a vacuum and can provide contrast to distinguish cells without killing them.

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