What is the reason that a modern electron microscope (TEM) can resolve biological images to the subnanometer level, as opposed to the tens of nanometers achievable for the best super-resolution light microscope?
A) The focal length of the electron microscope is significantly longer.
B) Contrast is enhanced by staining with atoms of heavy metal.
C) Electron beams have much shorter wavelengths than visible light.
D) The electron microscope has a much greater ratio of image size to real size.
E) The electron microscope cannot image whole cells at one time.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Electron beams have much shorter wavelengths than visible light, which allows them to resolve biological images to the subnanometer level. Super-resolution light microscopes use visible light, which has a longer wavelength than electron beams, limiting their resolution to tens of nanometers.

What Is the Reason That a Modern Electron Microscope (TEM)