How to Prepare Microscope Slides
Microscope slides are used to examine single-celled organisms and for close observation of small plants and organisms. There are two types of prepared slides: dry mount and wet mount. Each type of preparation method is used to install different types of cells. If you have a wet Mosaic on a particularly pale or translucent specimen, you may need to stain the specimen to make it visible under the microscope.
Method 1. Prepare dry mounting
1. Choose a clean slide.
Place the slide on a light source and look carefully to make sure it is free of stains and grime. Most microscope slides are flat and rectangular at the top and bottom. They are clear, allowing light from the microscope to pass through and illuminate the translucent sample specimen. If your slides are dirty or stained, you will not be able to examine your specimens effectively.
If you find any contamination on the microscope slides (including your own fingerprints), wash them quickly with liquid soap and water. Dry the slides with a clean cloth. Do not use paper towels or paper towels as they can leave lint behind.
2. Examine the sample to determine whether sectioning is required.
Sample specimens need to be translucent (or translucent) to transparent for light to pass through. If the light does not pass all the way through the sample and into the microscope eyepiece, you will not be able to see the sample through the microscope.
Some specimens (for example, a strand of hair or an insect wing) are themselves thin and translucent, and do not require cutting with a blade.
3. Slice off a thin piece of the sample specimen.
Use a razor blade to cut the sample material into thin, translucent slices. Dry inserts are easiest to prepare because they do not use any liquid between the slide and the sample. Dry mounting is ideal for inspecting samples that are not at risk of drying out. Materials commonly used for dry mounting include:
Cork or balsa wood.
Petals or leaves.
The leg or wing of an insect.
Hair, fur, or feathers.
4. Place the sample specimen on the slide.
Use tweezers to pick up thin slices of the sample. Carefully place it on the side of the slide. If you are using a concave slide with one side slanted downward, place the sample in the center of the concave area.
If you are concerned about the sample rolling or slipping off the flat slide, mount it on a concave slide. For example, if you are preparing curly petals that roll to one side or the other, use concave slides.
For all other types of specimens, flat slides will work fine.
5. Place the cover glass on the sample.
Cover glass prevents the sample from rolling off the slide.The slide also protects the sample if the microscope user accidentally lowers the lens to tap it.
Cover glass is a very thin sheet of clear glass or, more commonly, plastic. Each slip is about 3⁄4 inches (1.9 cm) wide and long.
Your slides are now ready to be examined under the microscope.
Method 2. Prepare for wet installation
1. Put a drop of water on the slide.
Use an eyedropper to place 1 drop of water into the exact center of the flat or concave slide. This water drop gives the wet stand its name. The liquid keeps the sample moist and prevents wet organic samples from drying out and deforming. Water can also preserve living specimens, such as single-celled organisms.
If you want to create permanent slides using dead organic materials, you can use a thin layer of clear nail polish instead of water droplets.
2. Scrape or slice a portion of a wet sample.
Samples used for wet inserts are usually wet or live organic materials. Use a razor blade or toothpick to cut or scrape off a small amount of wet specimens. Materials commonly used to make wet slides include:
Cheek cells or plaque (scraped from the mouth with a toothpick).
A thin cross section of a plant stem (cut with a blade).
If you're studying single-celled organisms -- amoeba or paramecium, for example -- tweezers won't help. Instead, use a clean dropper to suck up a few drops of water in which single-celled organisms or algae swim.
3. Place your sample in your water drop.
Transfer the sample onto the slide using tweezers, tweezers, or toothpicks, depending on the type of material you are using for the sample. Place the sample in the center of the water drop so that it is suspended in the liquid.
If you use a dropper to suck up single-celled organisms, add 1 or 2 drops to the water droplets already on the slide.
4. Place cover glass on top of wet sample.
Hold the cover glass at a 45° Angle. Place one edge next to the sample on the water drop. Then lower the other side of the slide until it lies flat on top of the specimen. You should see water droplets spreading under the cover glass until they reach its edges.
Once the cover glass is in place, do not tap or press the cover glass. If you do this, you run the risk of flattening the sample and water from the slide.
Method 3. Staining cell samples
- 1.Place the tissue paper against the side of the cover glass.
Place the towel against the edge of the slide and do not disturb the material under the cover slide. The absorbent paper towels will suck up some water from under the cover glass and then pull the stain from under the cover glass onto the specimen.
If your wet Mosaic slide specimen is pale or colorless (e.g., cross section of a colorless plant stem), it may be difficult to see when viewed through a microscope. Staining the specimen allows you to better see its shape and texture.
This is usually done after you have examined the wet specimen in the slide without staining it. The slide may be ready even if it is not stained.
2. Add 1 drop of iodine or methylene blue to the other side of the cover glass.
Use a dropper to drop the staining chemical on top of the microscope slide, next to the cover slide. Be careful to only distribute 1 drop. Excess stain may run off the slide.
Iodine or methylene blue can be purchased at any education store or biosupply store.
Another method is to add a drop of dye to the water when you first prepare the wet slide. In this case, you don't need a tissue.
3. Wait for the dye to be sucked under the slide cover.
As the paper towel absorbs water from the other side, the stain will begin to seep under the cover glass. It may take up to 5 minutes for iodine or methylene blue to fully soak under the slide cover and saturate the sample.
Once iodine or methylene blue is fully immersed under the slide cover, the sample is completely stained.
4. Wipe off excess dye with a clean paper towel.
Clean the surface of the slide to prevent loose liquid from spilling from the side. Your wet slide is now stained and ready to be viewed under the microscope.
Warning
Microscope slides and slide covers are compact and exquisite. Always handle slides carefully as they can easily break or scratch. Do not drop slides or covers, only place them on clean surfaces.
Iodine and methylene blue are toxic and should not be ingested. They can also stain skin (temporarily) and clothing (permanently), so wear clothes you don't care about when dealing with these chemicals.
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Post time: Sep-02-2021