2.1.1: Slide Preparations

Question 1

What are dry mounts?

Answer 1

Dry mounts are when thin slices or whole specimens are viewed with just the coverslip placed on top.

Example: Plant tissue or hair.

Question 2

What are wet mounts?

Answer 2

Wet mounts are when water is added to the specimen before lowering the coverslip with a mounted needle to prevent air bubbles from forming.

Example: Aquatic organisms could be viewed this way.

Question 3

What are squash slides?

Answer 3

Squash slides are wet mounts which you then push down on the coverslip to squash the sample to ensure you have a thin layer to enable light to pass through.

Example: This is used when creating a root tip squash sample to view the chromosomes in mitosis.

Question 4

What are smear slides?

Answer 4

Smear slides are created using the edge of another slide to smear the sample across another slide to create a smooth, thin, even coated specimen.

Example: This is used when examining blood cells in a blood sample.