The
visual examination of very small structures with a device that forms greatly
magnified images of objects by using electrons
rather than light to create an image. An electron
microscope focuses a beam of electrons
at an object and detects the actions of electrons
as they scatter off the surface to form an image.
An
electron-optical
instrument that utilizes a beam of electrons,
rather than light, to focus on cell
surfaces of a very thin specimen to produce an enlarged image on a
fluorescent screen or photographic plate. Because resolution (the ability to distinguish adjacent
objects as separate) is better and magnification 1,000 times that of an optical light microscope is possible, electron microscopy can help determine the nature
of tumors and of kidney disease.
