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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...
Preparation of Samples for Electron Microscopy01:20

Preparation of Samples for Electron Microscopy

To be visualized by an electron microscope, either transmission or scanning, biological samples need to be fixed (stabilized) so the electron beam does not destroy them and dried thoroughly (desiccated/dehydrated) so the vacuum does not affect them. Fixation needs to be done as quickly as possible because the sample properties will start changing as soon as it is removed from its natural environment. For example, in a tissue sample, the oxygen levels begin decreasing, causing an altered...
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.
Transmission Electron Microscopy01:15

Transmission Electron Microscopy

In 1931, physicist Ernst Ruska—building on the idea that magnetic fields can direct an electron beam just as lenses can direct a beam of light in an optical microscope—developed the first prototype of the electron microscope. This development led to the development of the field of electron microscopy. In the transmission electron microscope (TEM), electrons are produced by a hot tungsten element and accelerated by a potential difference in an electron gun, which gives them up to 400 keV in...
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.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 19, 2026

Preparation of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Organisms Using Chemical Drying for Morphological Analysis in Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
09:58

Preparation of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Organisms Using Chemical Drying for Morphological Analysis in Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)

Published on: January 7, 2019

Scanning electron microscopy: preparation and imaging for SEM.

Chris G Jones1

  • 1Department of Mineralogy, The Natural History Museum, London, UK. Chris_Jones@nhm.ac.uk

Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|August 22, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) offers versatile surface analysis. While modern techniques allow for minimal sample preparation, biological tissues often still require chemical fixation, dehydration, and coating for optimal SEM imaging.

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Processing Embryo, Eggshell, and Fungal Culture for Scanning Electron Microscopy
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Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) Protocols for Problematic Plant, Oomycete, and Fungal Samples

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Last Updated: May 19, 2026

Preparation of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Organisms Using Chemical Drying for Morphological Analysis in Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
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Processing Embryo, Eggshell, and Fungal Culture for Scanning Electron Microscopy
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Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) Protocols for Problematic Plant, Oomycete, and Fungal Samples
10:57

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) Protocols for Problematic Plant, Oomycete, and Fungal Samples

Published on: February 3, 2017

Area of Science:

  • Materials Science and Engineering
  • Biological Sciences
  • Microscopy Techniques

Background:

  • Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is a standard technique for surface examination of diverse materials.
  • Technological advancements have progressively reduced the invasiveness of SEM sample preparation.
  • Low vacuum and environmental SEM (ESEM) emerged in the 1970s and 1980s, enabling examination with minimal sample manipulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) as a surface imaging tool.
  • To introduce various sample preparation methods essential for SEM analysis.
  • To discuss the evolving nature of SEM invasiveness and its implications for sample analysis.

Main Methods:

  • Review of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) principles and applications.
  • Discussion of historical developments in SEM, including low vacuum and environmental SEM.
  • Overview of conventional sample preparation techniques: chemical fixation, dehydration, and coating.

Main Results:

  • SEM is a widely applicable technique for surface characterization of natural and artificial samples.
  • Modern SEM advancements allow for reduced or eliminated sample preparation in certain scenarios.
  • For biological specimens, traditional preparation methods (fixation, dehydration, coating) remain crucial for effective SEM analysis.

Conclusions:

  • SEM remains an indispensable tool for surface analysis, with evolving capabilities impacting sample preparation requirements.
  • While non-invasive SEM is increasingly feasible, specific sample types, particularly biological tissues, benefit significantly from meticulous preparation.
  • Understanding SEM techniques and appropriate sample preparation is key to successful imaging and data acquisition.