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What are artefacts in the context of microscopy?

  1. Natural structures found in specimens

  2. Living organisms observed through a microscope

  3. Objects or structures created during the processing of the specimen

  4. Virtual images generated by microscope software

The correct answer is: Objects or structures created during the processing of the specimen

Artefacts in the context of microscopy refer to objects or structures that are not naturally present in the specimen but are created during the processing of the specimen, such as during fixation or staining. These distortions can result from various stages of preparing the sample, including dehydration, embedding, sectioning, or staining. Artefacts can affect the interpretation of microscopic images by mimicking or obscuring the true characteristics of the specimen under investigation, leading to potential misinterpretations in the analysis of cellular and tissue structures. Understanding artefacts is crucial for accurately interpreting microscopy results and ensuring that observed features genuinely represent the biological specimens being studied.