Electron microscopes have higher magnification and resolution than light microscopes, allowing visualization at the nanometer level, but they are more expensive to purchase and operate. Light microscopes are cheaper but have lower magnification and resolution, only allowing visualization at the micron level. Both microscope types have advantages and disadvantages depending on the application and what is being viewed.

1. Comparing Light and Electron
Microscopes
Advantages of Electron Disadvantages of Light
Microscopes Microscope
• Greater magnification up • Magnification only up to
to 1,000,000 x 1000-1,500 x
• Greater depth of field • Less depth of field
(With SEMs, 3-D ) • May involve complex
• No complex lighting lighting requirements
• Greater resolution -1 nm • Less resolution - 1 micron

2. Light Microscopes

3. Light microscope images
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4. Microscopes Continued
Disadvantages of Advantages of Light
Electron Microscope Microscope
• Expensive (1 million) • Cheaper (100)
• Expensive to Run • Cheaper to Run
• Image Black and • Color image
White • Live or Dead
• Dead Specimen Specimen
• Requires Vacuum • No Vacuum Required
• Expert Preparation • Simple Preparation
• Special Large Room • Small and Portable
• Affected by Magnetic • Unaffected by
Fields Magnetic Fields

5. Electron Microscope images
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6. SEMs TEMs
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40 x (SEM)
435x (SEM)
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10. Eye of a Mosquito
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1760 x