Microscopes and cancer

Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM)

Shoots a beam of electrons at a thin slice of a sample and detecting those electrons that make it through the other side.

Good for learning about components inside cells like organelles

Sample has to be thin and only produces 2D image

Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)

Uses a focused beam of electrons that reflect off the surface of structures. Gives a 3D image. Samples do not have to be thin

Light microscope

Uses a beam of light to form larger, more detailed images. Low resolution but high magnification. Sample must be thin and often require staining to distinguish organelles more clearly

Magnification

Making an image larger than the object

Resolution

The ability to distinguish between two objects as separate points

Electron microscope

Produce higher magnification and resoulution than light micrrosacopes. Large, expensive, and can't use live specimens

Cancer

A disease which is caused by uncontrolled cell growth

Malignant tumors

Grows quickly, will invade other tissues and can break off and spread around the body causing tumors in other organs

Benign tumors

slow growth and kept in one place. Usually not life threatening

Mutation

A change in the base sequence of DNA

Chemotherapy

Drugs that prevent the synthesis of enzymes required for DNA replication. Cells can't divide

Radiotherapy

Drugs that damage DNA so the cell can't pass the check points in the s phase which will force the cell to kill itself.