Which property of electrons explains why an electron microscope cannot image living cells?
AThey carry no charge of their own
BThey move best inside a vacuum
CThey have wavelengths longer than light
DThey pass freely through thick glass
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. They have wavelengths longer than light
1. An electron microscope forms its image with a beam of electrons rather than a beam of light.
2. Electrons have short wavelengths, shorter than those of photons, which is what buys the extra resolving power.
3. Those electrons move best in a vacuum, so the specimen chamber must be evacuated.
4. A living cell cannot survive in a vacuum, and the preparation method used for electron microscopy kills the specimen in any case.
5. Electrons do carry a charge, so the first answer is factually wrong.
6. Their wavelengths are shorter than those of photons, not longer, so the third answer inverts the comparison.
7. The limiting property is that electrons move best inside a vacuum.
_Source: OpenStax Biology (1st ed., CC BY 4.0), Ch 4 "Cell Structure", section 4.1 Studying Cells_
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