Answer
Confocal microscopy enables us to generate 3D images of a cell, allowing us to observe the structure of cells and of cell components in great detail. In addition, confocal microscopy permits us to observe cellular activity in greater detail, allowing us to detect phenomena such as ion concentration and distribution.
Work Step by Step
1. Confocal microscopy involves staining a specimen with a fluorescent dye and illuminating one plane of a region of said specimen with short-wave light.
2. This is done repeatedly with every possible region of the specimen until the entire specimen is scanned.
3. Clear 2D images are produced, and computers can be used to generate 3D images from these.
4. This permits us to generate clear pictures of the structure of cells and cell components.
5. It also permits us to observe internal processes such as how and where ions are concentrated and distributed within a cell.
