A Level Biology Practice Exam

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What does transmission electron microscopy (TEM) use to produce an image?

Visible light
Ultraviolet light
Infrared radiation
A beam of electrons

The correct answer is: A beam of electrons

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) produces images by using a beam of electrons. This technique takes advantage of the shorter wavelength of electrons compared to visible light, allowing for much higher resolution images at the cellular and molecular level. When the electron beam passes through a very thin section of the specimen, it interacts with the atoms in the sample. Different areas of the specimen scatter the electrons to different extents, which contributes to the contrast in the final image. This method is particularly useful for observing fine details within cells and tissues, making it a vital tool in biological and materials sciences. In contrast, other forms of electromagnetic radiation like visible light, ultraviolet light, and infrared radiation cannot achieve the same resolution as electrons due to their longer wavelengths. Therefore, those methods are not suited for the high-resolution imaging capabilities that TEM provides.