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Related Concept Videos

Scanning Electron Microscopy01:07

Scanning Electron Microscopy

A scanning electron microscope (SEM) is used to study the surface features of a sample by using an electron beam that scans the sample surface in a two-dimensional manner. Typically, areas between ~1 centimeter to 5 micrometers in width can be imaged. SEM can be used to image bacteria, viruses, tissues as well as larger samples like insects. Conventional SEM gives a magnification ranging from 20X to 30,000X and spatial resolution of 50 to 100 nanometers.
Fundamental Principles
Accelerated...
Overview of Electron Microscopy01:25

Overview of Electron Microscopy

The wavelengths of visible light ultimately limit the maximum theoretical resolution of images created by light microscopes. Most light microscopes can only magnify 1000X, and a few can magnify up to 1500X. Electrons, like electromagnetic radiation, can behave like waves, but with wavelengths of 0.005 nm, they produce significantly greater resolution up to 0.05 nm as compared to 500 nm for visible light. An electron microscope (EM) can create a sharp image that is magnified up to 2,000,000X.
Overview of Microscopy Techniques01:22

Overview of Microscopy Techniques

The early pioneers of microscopy opened a window into the invisible world of microorganisms. In 1830, Joseph Jackson Lister created an essentially modern light microscope. The 20th century saw the development of microscopes that leveraged nonvisible light, such as fluorescence microscopy that uses an ultraviolet light source and electron microscopy that uses short-wavelength electron beams. These advances significantly improved magnification, image resolution, and contrast. By comparison, the...
Immunogold Electron Microscopy01:20

Immunogold Electron Microscopy

Immunoelectron microscopy utilizes immunogold labeling of endogenous proteins with specific antibodies to detect and localize these proteins in cells and tissues. The procedure provides insights into the distribution and quantification of protein under different stimulation conditions offering clues about their functions. Conjugating highly electron-dense gold particles with primary or secondary antibodies allow antigen detection on and within cells, with high resolution and specificity.
Electron Microscope Tomography and Single-particle Reconstruction01:07

Electron Microscope Tomography and Single-particle Reconstruction

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) can be used to determine the 3D structure of biological samples with the help of techniques such as electron microscope tomography and single-particle reconstruction. While single-particle reconstruction can examine macromolecules and macromolecular complexes in vitro conditions only, tomography permits the study of cell components or small cells in vivo.
Electron Tomography
Electron tomography can be performed either in TEM or STEM (scanning transmission...
Cryo-electron Microscopy01:28

Cryo-electron Microscopy

Conventional electron microscopy (EM) involves dehydration, fixation, and staining of biological samples, which distorts the native state of biological molecules and results in several artifacts. Also, the high-energy electron beam damages the sample and makes it difficult to obtain high-resolution images. These issues can be addressed using cryo-EM, which uses frozen samples and gentler electron beams. The technique was developed by Jacques Dubochet, Joachim Frank, and Richard Henderson, for...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Visualizing Membrane Ruffle Formation using Scanning Electron Microscopy
08:05

Visualizing Membrane Ruffle Formation using Scanning Electron Microscopy

Published on: May 27, 2021

Scanning electron microscopy of cell surface morphology.

Samantha Passey1, Stéphanie Pellegrin, Harry Mellor

  • 1Mammalian Cell Biology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, School of Medical Sciences, University of Bristol, United Kingdom.

Current Protocols in Cell Biology
|January 30, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Scanning electron microscopy reveals detailed cell surface structures like microvilli. Optimal sample preparation is crucial for high-resolution imaging of mammalian cell surfaces.

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Last Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Visualizing Membrane Ruffle Formation using Scanning Electron Microscopy
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Published on: May 27, 2021

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Published on: September 21, 2020

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Microscopy Techniques

Background:

  • Metazoan cell surfaces feature complex structures (microvilli, filopodia, lamellipodia, ruffles) vital for cellular interactions.
  • Light microscopy has limitations in visualizing these fine surface details.
  • Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) offers high resolution for cell surface studies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To outline critical factors for preparing mammalian cells and tissues for optimal SEM imaging.
  • To improve the visualization of intricate cell surface morphology.

Main Methods:

  • Focus on critical factors in sample preparation for SEM.
  • Highlighting techniques for preserving fine surface structure.

Main Results:

  • Detailed visualization of cell surface structures is achievable with proper preparation.
  • Identified key variables influencing the preservation of surface morphology.

Conclusions:

  • Optimized sample preparation is essential for high-resolution SEM imaging of cell surfaces.
  • This approach enhances the understanding of cell-environment interactions.