Comparing Microscopes Dissecting/ Stereomicroscope Compound light microscope Scanning electron microscope (SEM) Transmission electron microscope (TEM)
Used to observe living organisms? Yes: alive or dead Yes: alive or dead No: dead only No: dead only
Does it produce a 2D or 3D image? 3D 2D 3D 2D
Surface and/or internal views? surface surface and internal surface, in great detail internal, including cellular organelles
Magnification 10X, 30X, 40X 40X, 100X, 400X (school) up to 2000X 1,500,000,000X and greater 200,000X

You are dissecting the mouthparts of arthropods, specifically this crayfish. This is a preserved specimen and your teacher has tasked you with dissecting the mouthparts and laying them out on the dissecting pan with the appropriate labels. Based on the information in the chart, select the best microscope for the job, citing evidence.
A) The crayfish is dead, a preserved specimen, so it would be appropriate to use either electron microscope for the task.
B) You should use the compound light microscope, on the lowest power. You can dissect the mouthparts using a 2D view with this much magnification.
C) The crayfish is a relatively large specimen, even the mouth parts. Since you are dissecting the mouth parts, you need a 3D view: you should use the dissecting microscope.
Eliminate
D) Because you are working in a high school lab, not a research or college lab, you have access to the compound light microscope, which may be used on living or dead specimens.
PL, HELP