Exploring Plants and Insects Under the Scanning Electron Microscope
Carole Daugherty

The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) enables investigators to view specimens at high magnifications and obtain micrographs that have a remarkable three-dimensional quality and great clarity of detail. In biology, the SEM can be used to study the fine morphological details that are not apparent under a light microscope. Students will use plants, insects and other material to explore and understand some of the fine biological architecture. They will have the opportunity to prepare the specimens for SEM in addition to studying and obtaining micrographs of features that interest them.