Question

How do stains used for light microscopy compare with those used for electron microscopy?

Short answer

In light microscopy, the cell components are stained using colorful dyes or stains affected by the light passing through them, and the specimens are clearly visible. However, in electron microscopy, the stains are heavy metals scattered on the biological samples affected by the beam of electrons.

Step-by-step solution

Stains used for light microscopy 

The light microscope is the microscopeused to view objects and living cells and microbodies like bacteria, fungi, etc., in the presence of light rays and lenses.It takes the help of stains or dyes.

The stains used in light microscopy includeHematoxylin, Eosin,Toluidine blue,Mallory trichrome, Giemsa stain, etc.These stains are colored molecules that stain the cells and parts thereof.When light passes through the stained specimens, they are visible against the light contrast.

Stains used for electron microscopy 

Electron microscopy provides better resolution and magnification of minute particles.The stains used in electron microscopy areheavy metals that dye biological tissues by absorbing or scattering some electrons.

This scattering of electrons provides a contrast between different biological structures. Biological specimens have low contrast, due to which the resolution of fine details on the ultrathin section becomes limited if such stains are not used.

Difference between the stains used for light microscopy and electron microscopy

The use of colored dyes in light microscopy and that of heavy metals in electron microscopy is the main difference in the stains used for these two types of microscopy techniques.