GROUP four

Preparations of Microscope Slides

Step 1

Wet Mount Slides

Placing a drop of liquid on a
microscope slide.
Step 1
• Place a drop of fluid in the middle of the
slide (e.g., water, glycerin, immersion oil, or a
liquid sample).
• If viewing a sample not already in the liquid,
use tweezers to position the specimen within
the drop.
• Place one side of a coverslip at an angle so
that its edge touches the slide and the outer
edge of the drop.
Step 1
Slowly lower the coverslip, avoiding air
bubbles. Most problems with air bubbles
come from not applying the coverslip at
an angle, not touching the liquid drop, or
from using a viscous (thick) liquid. If the
liquid drop is too large, the coverslip will
float on the slide, making it hard to focus
on the subject using a microscope.
Step 1
As the liquid evaporates from the edges of
the slide, living samples may die. One way
to retard evaporation is to use a toothpick
to coat the edges of the cover slip with a
thin rim of petroleum jelly before dropping
the coverslip over the sample. Press gently
on the coverslip to remove air bubbles
and seal the slide.
Step 2

Dry Mount Slides

A scientist cuts a specimen
up into small pieces for use
in dry mount slides
Step 2
Dry mount slides can consist of a sample placed on a
slide or else a sample covered with a cover slip. For a
low power microscope, such as a dissection scope, the
size of the object isn't critical, since its surface will be
examined. For a compound microscope, the sample
needs to be very thin and as flat as possible. Aim fo
one cell thickness to a few cells. It may be necessary to
use a knife or razor blade to shave a section of sample.
Step 2
Place the slide on a flat surface.
Use tweezers or a forceps to place the sample on the
slide.
Place the coverslip on top of the sample. In some
cases, it's okay to view the sample without a coverslip
as long as care is taken not to bump the sample into
the microscope lens. If the sample is soft, a "squash
slide" may be made by gently pressing down on the
coverslip.
Step 2
If the sample won't stay on the slide, it may be
secured by painting the slide with clear nail
polish immediately before adding the specimen.
This also makes the slide semipermanent. Usually
slides can be rinsed and reused, but using nail
polish means the slides must be cleaned with
polish remover before reuse.
Step 3

How to Make a Blood Smear Slide?

Stained glass slides of blood smears
with violet Leishman-Giemsa stain
in hematology laboratory.
Step 3
Some liquids are either to deeply colored or too
thick to view using the wet mount technique
Blood and semen are prepared as smears. Evenly
smearing the sample across the slide makes i
possible to distinguish individual cells. While
making a smear isn't complicated, getting an
even layer takes practice.
Step 3
Place a small drop of a liquid sample onto the slide.
Take a second clean slide. Hold it at an angle to the first
slide. Use the edge of this slide to touch the drop. Capillary
action will draw the liquid into a line where the flat edge of
the second slide touches the first slide. Evenly draw the
second slide across the surface of the first slide, creating a
smear. Its not necessary to apply pressure.
At this point, either allow the slide to dry so that it can be
stained or else place a coverslip on top of the smear.
Step 4

How to Stain Slides?

A stack of slides stained and
set for histopathology (H
and E stain).
Step 4
Prepare a wet mount or dry mount with a
coverslip.
Add a small drop of stain to an edge of the
coverslip.
Place the edge of a tissue or paper towel on the
opposite edge of the coverslip. Capillary action
will pull the dye across the slide to stain the
specimen.
Step 5

Common Objects to Examine With a

Microscope
Microscope and related objects used
every day by scientists, including
tweezers and microscope slides
Step 5
Many common foods and objects
make fascinating subjects for slides.
Wet mount slides are best for food.
Dry mount slides are good for dry
chemicals.