A table showing the similarities and contrasts between a light microscope and a

transmission electron microscope.

Attribute

Light Microscope

Magnification
Image of specimen 2D or
3D
How is the specimen
prepared for viewing

Up to x2000
2D or 3D

Transmission Electron
Microscope (TEM)
Up to x2 000 000
2D

Place a thin layer/strip of the

substance on a slide, then,
depending on the substance,
add a drop of water. You can
then place a coverslip on
your slide, or look at it
through the microscope.

The main two things that

you need to do are; stabilise
the specimen so it is not
destroyed by the electron
beam, and dry it thoroughly
so it is not affected by the
vacuum.

How is the specimen seen

What parts of the specimen

can be seen.
Colour of the specimen.

The specimen is coloured, is

The specimen is black and
seen through the lens of the
white (though it can be
microscope, and can be alive
dyed), is seen through a
when it is being viewed.
screen, and is not alive when
it is being viewed.
The exterior of the specimen
The interior and inner
can be seen
structure of the specimen
can be seen
The original colour can be
The original colour will be
seen, but sometimes it will
black and white, but the
need to be stained for
specimen may be dyed.
optimum visibility.