Which type of microscopy can visualize cellular processes in real-time?

Fluorescence microscopy is an advanced imaging technique that allows scientists to visualize cellular processes in real-time. This method utilizes fluorescent dyes or tags that bind to specific cellular components, enabling researchers to track movements, interactions, and changes within living cells over time. The ability to observe fluorescence signals under a microscope provides detailed insights into various dynamic processes such as cell signaling, protein interaction, and cellular morphology.

In comparison, phase contrast microscopy enhances the visibility of transparent specimens, making it possible to view live cells and their structures, but it does not provide the same level of specificity or molecular detail as fluorescence microscopy. Scanning electron microscopy is primarily used for detailed surface imaging at high magnification but does not facilitate real-time observation of living processes. Transmission electron microscopy offers excellent resolution for internal cellular structures but requires specimen preparation that typically kills the cells, preventing real-time observation.

These characteristics make fluorescence microscopy particularly effective for live-cell imaging, giving it a unique advantage in studying dynamic cellular processes as they occur.