What is a notable disadvantage of electron microscopes?

A significant disadvantage of electron microscopes is that they provide images in black and white rather than in color. This limitation arises because electron microscopy uses a beam of electrons rather than light to illuminate the specimen, and the resulting images are created based on the interaction of electrons with the specimen, which does not convey color information.

In contrast, light microscopes can capture color images because they use visible light, allowing for the observation of specimens in their natural colors. While electron microscopes offer incredibly high magnification and resolution, their inability to produce color images can be a drawback in studies where color differentiation is essential for understanding biological structures or processes.

Other disadvantages include the complexity of operation and the fact that samples must be prepared in such a way that they are not alive during imaging, ruling out the possibility of observing live specimens. These factors contribute to the context of electron microscopy being powerful yet limited in certain applications compared to light microscopy.