The scanning electron microscope

The SEM is used to produce three-dimensional images of the surface of specimens. Electron are reflected from the surface of a specimen stained with a heavy metal. This enables the SEM to produce images of whole specimens: cells, tissues, or even organisms.

Although electron microscopes have revolutionized cell biology, they have not completely replaced light microscopes. Light microscopes are used to examine living and unstained specimens. Preparation of specimens for electron microscopy is complicated and time-consuming. Electron microscopes are very expensive and can be used only to study dead specimens stained with heavy metal, which might well produce artifacts.