Topic 1 - Microscope Skills

Question 1

5 Drawing Rules

Answer 1

1. No colour
2. No shading
3. Neat, bold lines
4. Horizontal, straight labelling
5. Include title and magnification

Question 2

Why do we only stain certain specimens?

Answer 2

• to help make the structure of the cells visible and clear under the microscope. finer definition of cells.
• other specimens do not require stain due to natural pigmentation.

Question 3

Advantages of staining specimens

Answer 3

• enhance contrast (easier to see cells)
• highlights specific features
  -identifies abnormalities

Question 4

Disadvantages of staining specimens

Answer 4

• Affects cell functioning
• Possibilities of Mistakes (if the sample isn’t prepared properly, the structures may not show up clearly)
• Use too much or too little dye
• Stains fingers/clothes if not careful

Question 5

Steps in mounting a wet slide?

Answer 5

1. Use a dropper to drop water on centre of a clean slide
2. use tweezers to lay the specimen on the drop of water
3. Place the edge on the cover slip on one side of the water drop
4. Slowly lower the coverslip using a toothpick to help reduce appearance of air bubbles
5. Blot excess liquid using paper towelling