Light Microscopes

Question 1

How does a light microscope produce an image?

Answer 1

Light

Question 2

How is a sample prepared on a dry mount?

Answer 2

Solid specimens are viewed whole or cut into slices (sectioning). The specimen is placed on the centre of the slide and a coverslip is placed on the sample.

Question 3

How is a sample prepared on a wet mount?

Answer 3

The specimen is suspended in a liquid such as water or oil. A coverslip is placed on from an angle.

Question 4

How is a sample prepared on a squash slide?

Answer 4

First, a wet mount is prepared, then a lense slip is used to press down the coverslip. Then the sample is squashed between the two microscope slides.

Question 5

How is a sample prepared on a smear slide?

Answer 5

The edge of the slide is used to smear the sample creating a thin coating on another slide. A coverslip is then placed over the sample.

Question 6

What is staining used for?

Answer 6

Making components of samples more visible.