UBC BIOL 200: UNIT 1.2: MICROSCOPY EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GRADED A+ 2026

UBC BIOL 200: UNIT 1.2: MICROSCOPY
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
GRADED A+ 2026




Four types of microscopes - ANS 1. Brightfield light microscopy

2. Fluorescence light microscopy

3. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM)

4. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM).



Two types of light microscopes - ANS Brightfield (Transmitted Light Microscope) and
Fluorescence (Emitted light microscope)



Two types of electron microscopes - ANS transmission and scanning



In transmitted light microscopes, the light passes ____________ the specimen and viewed. -
ANS through



In emited light microscopes, the fluorescent molecules ___(emit/absorb)___ light at a specific
wavelength, then __(emit/absorb)___ light at ___(same/different)______ wavelength? -
ANS The fluorescent molecules absorb light at a specific wavelength, then emit light at a
different wavelength

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, Types of transmitted light microscope - ANS • Bright field

• Dark field

• Phase contrast

• Differential interference-contrast (DIC)



Types of fluorescent microscope - ANS • Immunofluorescence

• Epifluorescence

• Confocal



Describe how the brightfield microscope works - ANS incandescent light is focused using a
condenser lens --> light is focused towards the specimen on the microscope stage --> the
specimen is magnified a

series of objective and ocular lenses



Pros and cons of light microscope - ANS pros:

- visualize live cells

- can see whole cells

- can track cells

- can see color

- cheap and easy to use



Cons:

- limited resolution

- can't see smaller organelles


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