Required Practicals

Question 1

Preparing a slide (onion)

Answer 1

1. Using a pipette put one drop of water onto a microscope slide
2. Separate a thin layer of onion
3. Peel off a thin layer of epidermal tissue from the inner surface
4. Use forceps to put it on the drop of water on the slide
5. Make sure it is flat and add 2 drops of iodine
6. Carefully Place a coverslip onto the slide and use filter paper to soak up any liquid from around edge of coverslip
7. Place on the microscope stage

Question 2

Microscopy required practical

Answer 2

1. Place your slide on the stage, held down by stage clips
2. Turn objective lens to lowest power magnification (usually x40)
3. Looking FROM THE SIDE turn the coarse adjustment knob so that the objective lens is almost touching the slide
4. looking through the eyepiece, turn the coarse adjustment knob in the other direction to lower the stage until cells come into focus
5. Gently turn the fine focus knob to bring cells into a CLEAR focus
6. Turn the nosepiece to use a higher power objective lens (usually x100 or x400)
7. Repeat steps 3 to 5 with the higher power objective lens
8. Make a clear labelled drawing of some cells and label any components of the cell
9. Write the magnification used below the image and include a scale

Question 3

Growing cultures and zone of inhibition practical

Answer 3

1. Spray bench with disinfectant spray to sterilise
2. Place a lit bunsen burner on yellow flame in the middle of working area on a heatproof mat