Question

Scanning electron microscopy is most often used to reveal __________.

1) surface structures.
2) internal structures.
3) both surface and internal structures simultaneously.
4) either surface or internal structures, but not simultaneously.

Answer 1

Scanning electron microscopy is used primarily to view and analyze surface structures of specimens by using secondary electrons to produce detailed three-dimensional images.

Step-by-step explanation:

Scanning electron microscopy is most often used to reveal surface structures. Unlike transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which allows for the viewing of internal structures such as organelles and the interior of membranes, scanning electron microscopes (SEM) are used to create highly detailed images of the surfaces of objects. SEM images are generated from secondary electrons that are emitted when a primary beam of electrons interacts with the surface of a specimen. The sample is usually dried, prepared with fixatives, and coated with a metal such as gold to enhance image quality. SEMs provide a three-dimensional view of samples and do not require the samples to be sliced into thin sections.