A Level Biology Practice Exam

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What is the main advantage of using electron microscopy over light microscopy?

It uses light waves to create images
It produces images with higher resolutions
It requires less sample preparation
It can observe living organisms

The correct answer is: It produces images with higher resolutions

The main advantage of using electron microscopy over light microscopy lies in its ability to produce images with significantly higher resolutions. This superiority in resolution is primarily due to the shorter wavelength of electrons compared to visible light. While light microscopy typically has a resolution limit of about 200 nanometers, electron microscopy can resolve structures down to a few nanometers, allowing for the visualization of much smaller details within cells and tissues. This high resolution is crucial for studying fine cellular structures, including organelles and macromolecular complexes, which may not be discernible with light microscopy. In addition, the use of electrons rather than light enables finer details to be observed, particularly in materials and biological specimens, contributing to advancements in both fundamental biology and various applications in materials science and nanotechnology.