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
@COPYRIGHT 2026/2027 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
1
, 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
Define Resolution - ANS The closest spacing of two lines that can be distinguished as separate
entities.
@COPYRIGHT 2026/2027 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
2
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
@COPYRIGHT 2026/2027 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
1
, 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
Define Resolution - ANS The closest spacing of two lines that can be distinguished as separate
entities.
@COPYRIGHT 2026/2027 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
2
