2.1.1 (b, c) Preparing and staining microscope slides

What kind of slide would you prepare if you wanted to look at an insect wing?

• dry mount

• wet mount

• squash slide

• smear slide

What kind of slide would you prepare if you wanted to look at aquatic algae?

• dry mount

• wet mount

• squash slide

• smear slide

What kind of slide would you prepare if you wanted to look at a soft part of a plant, such as a growing shoot?

• dry mount

• wet mount

• squash slide

• smear slide

Which piece of equipment used on a light microscope contains the calibrated μm ruler?

• Objective lens

• Eyepiece graticule

• Stage micrometer

• Eyepiece lens

In general, when looking at a cell under the microscope, which part of the cell should you measure to get the most accurate reading?

• The shortest side of the cell.

• The longest side of the cell.

• Whatever part looks easiest to measure.

Why must samples to be used under a microscope be sliced very thinly?

• So you can get more slices from each sample.

• So light can pass through the slice.

• Because the cover slip won't lie flat over the slice.

• It is standard procedure in microscopy.

What is the purpose of differential staining?

• To make the whole specimen easier to see

• To highlight specific cell structures and make them more visible

• To make the stained tissue appear sharper, increasing resolution

• To reduce deflection of light

For what reasons do different parts of the cell take up differing concentrations of stain?

• They have different electrical charges so different affinities for the dye.

  (affinity = attraction)

• They have different proteins that can bind to the dye.

• They may have different porosities to dyes.

  (porosity = how porous it is)

• All of the above.