Light scattering vs. microscopy for measuring average cell size and shape.

Light-scattering photometry is compared with electron and light microscopy as a source of information about the average size and shape of cells in population. Examined are the effects of limited instrument resolution, necessary experimental procedures, and cell heterogeneity. Information theory is used to survey the relative amounts of information provided by photometric and microscopic measurements. Then in model exploratory experiments, cell size and shape and changes therein are determined both by microscopy and by photometry for spherical and spheroidal cells. Scattering theory is used to calculate photometrically observed light from cell parameters. It is found that if certain other appropriate information about the morphological property of interest is available, then visible light photometry is the preferred method for obtaining quantitative information. It has good absolute sensitivity (0.01-0.10 micrometers resolution), its results are relatively unaffected by sample heterogeneity, it is nondestructive and compatible with many other techniques, it requires no sample preparation, and it provides its information in real time.