Which is a difference between a compound light microscope and a scanning electron microscope?The scanning electron microscope can view the internal part of a cell, while the compound light microscope views the surface of a cell. The scanning electron microscope specimens can be stained for contrast, while the compound light microscope specimen appears black and white. The scanning electron microscope is used for dissections, while the compound light microscope is not. The scanning electron microscope uses an electron beam and a layer of gold to view the surface of the cell, while the compound light microscope uses light and lenses.