Light Microscopy
Maximum resolution: 200nm
Any objects closer than 200nm will appear as one object under the best light microscope.
2 objects can only be seen if light is able to pass between them.
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# Sectioning
- Specimens can be embedded in wax (or dehydrated)
- Thin sections are cut out without changing the structure
- There is a risk of material distorting when sectioned
When studying a section, structures may be seen differently depending on how the section was taken relative to the structure. So a mitochondria may have been cut vertically whilst you are looking for one cut horizontally. It is important to account for this.
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# Microscope Terminology
Artifacts are damaged specimens caused by mechanical or chemical damage during slide preparation.
Here are a few examples of artifacts that could be misidentified as different objects.