Super resolved fluorescence microscopy can achieve a resolution of about 0.02μm (20nm) using visible light.There are two different types. One combines many very small scanned areas to produce a sharper image and the other superimposes many images with normal resolution to produce a high resolution image.The first type uses the technique of stimulated emission depletion.Two lasers are directed onto a specimen. The first scans the specimen and causes fluorescence and the second slightly offset laser cancels the fluorescence from all but a small molecular-sized area of the specimen.The second process involves controlling which molecules fluoresce. Different molecules are allowed to fluoresce each time the specimen is scanned.The images are superimposed to produce a high resolution image.The path of individual molecules can be traced during cellular processes.
Super Resolved Fluorescence Microscopy
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Specification: OCR Biology A (H020), AS-level, 2.1.1 Cell structure. Topic: Components of Living Systems.
Key terms in this lesson
- resolution
- The ability to distinguish two objects that are close together as separate entities, which determines how much detail can be seen.
More in Components of Living Systems
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- Differences Between Light and Electron Microscopes
- Scientific Drawings
- Artefacts
- Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy
- Fluorescent Tags
- Atomic Force Microscopy
- Relative Sizes
All 21 lessons in Components of Living Systems · All OCR AS-level Biology topics