Cytology and the Microscope The branch of science/biology dealing with the study of cells and cell behavior; you need a microscope to perform cytology! Light Microscope: limited by the properties of visible light (wavelength) Electron Microscope: uses a beam of electrons which has a smaller wavelength than visible light Instead of glass lenses focusing the light in the light microscope, the TEM uses electromagnetic lenses to focus the electrons into a very thin beam. The electron beam then travels through the specimen you want to study.

Two classes of E.M.: Scanning electron microscopes produce a 3D image of the exterior of a dead specimen Transmission E.M. deliver the best resolution of a thin slice of a prepared specimen. Both types are extremely expensive, cumbersome pieces of equipment.

They both have extremely good resolution and are used extensively at universities, well equipped labs, and teaching hospitals. Resolution = the ability to distinguish between 2 objects that are very close together.  

Eukaryote (light microscope)

Plant Cell (light microscope)

Nucleus and Nucleolus

Rough E.R.

Vesicles

Microvilli

Eukaryote (animal)

Liver Cell

Eukaryote (plant)

Insect Eye

Mite

Mosquito Antenna

Axon from Neuron

Prokaryote (E. Coli)

Bacillus Bacteria

Bacteriophage

Bacteriophage 2

Bee Parasite

Insect Parasite Emerging

Butterfly Wing

Crystalline DNA

Ebola Virus