A major breakthrough in the study of cells came with the development of electron microscope. This is because

Options

A. The resolution power of the electrion microscope is much higher than that of the light microscope
B. The resolving power of electron microscope is 200- 350 nm as compared to 0.1 -0.2 nm for the light microscope
C. Electron beam can pass through thick materials whereans light microscopy requires for the light microscope
D. The electron microscope is more powerful than the light microscope as it uses a beam of electrons which as wavelength much longer than that of photons

Answer

**Step-by-Step Text Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Question**: The question asks why the development of the electron microscope was a major breakthrough in the study of cells.

2. **Comparing Microscopes**: To answer this, we need to compare the electron microscope with the light microscope. The key factors to consider are resolution and magnification.

3. **Resolution Power**: The resolution power of a microscope determines how clearly we can see details in the specimen. The electron microscope has a much higher resolution power compared to the light microscope.

4. **Quantifying Resolution**: The resolution of an electron microscope can reach up to 0.1 to 0.2 nanometers, while the light microscope typically has a resolution of about 200 nanometers. This significant difference allows scientists to observe much finer details in cellular structures.

5. **Mechanism of Electron Microscopes**: Electron microscopes use a beam of electrons instead of light. Electrons have a much shorter wavelength than visible light, which contributes to their higher resolving power.

6. **Magnification Capability**: Electron microscopes can achieve magnifications of up to 1,000,000 times, whereas light microscopes usually have a maximum magnification of around 1,000 to 2,000 times. This allows for a more detailed view of cellular components.

7. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the major breakthrough in cell study with the development of the electron microscope is primarily due to its superior resolution and magnification capabilities compared to light microscopes.

**Final Answer**: The resolution power of the electron microscope is much higher than that of the light microscope.

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