Preparing Slides and Dye's Flashcards
What is a Dry Mount?
A dry specimen which does not require any liquid to survive eg hair and pollen.
How is a Dry Mount Slide prepared?
A thin slice of specimen placed on a slide and covered with a cover slip.
What is Sectioning?
Slicing.
What is a Wet Mount?
A living specimen which requires there living liquid (water) to survive eg aquatic organisms.
How is a Wet Mount Slide prepared?
A small drop of water is placed onto a slide (with a dip in) then the specimen is added before being covered with a cover slip.
What may be needed to be used on a wet mount and why?
A stain/fluorescent dye to make internal structure visible.
How do Stains work?
Some parts of the specimen binds to the stain more than others which increases the contrast between structures so produces a clearer image.
What are the 4 stains most commonly used?
Iodine
Methylene Blue
Giemsa Blue
H&E Staining
What part of the cell does Iodine stain?
Stains the cell membrane, cell wall and nucleus.
What colour does Iodine stain the organelles?
Brown
What is a risk with Iodine?
Can cause skin irritation/corrosion and unwanted stains.
What part of the cell does Methylene Blue stain and what does it highlight?
Stains DNA so highlights the nucleus.
What can Methylene Blue be used for?
Can be used in Medicine.
What does Giemsa Stain distinguish between?
Different blood cells
What colour does Giemsa Stain blood cells?
Red
