The type of microscope that is used to see the external surfaces of cells to determine morphology is the scanning electron microscope or SEM. The scanning electron microscope utilizes a fixated ray of high - energy electrons to create an assortment of signals at the exterior of solid specimens. The signals that arise from electron sample relations expose data about the sample together with exterior morphology, chemical composition and structure of the solid and how the solid is oriented. It is done by getting a small sample from the substance to be examined. A two dimensional image is made after scanning with an area at 1cm to 5 microns approximately. The magnification is at about 20X to 30,000X the sample with a spatial resolution of 50 to 100nm.
