Microscopic Examinations of Microorganisms in Unfixed State (P)

Question 1

How to do a wet mount preparation?

Answer 1

1) Using a capillary pipette, place a small drop of culture broth on the center of the slide
2) Carefully place a clean coverslip over the drop avoiding bubbles
3) If no fluid has escaped from under the edges of the coverslip, seal the preparation with clear nail polish. Allow the polish to dry thoroughly before examining preparation under the microscope

Question 2

How to do a hanging-drop method (vaseline method)

Answer 2

1) A thin film of petroleum jelly is placed around the concave well on the hollow-ground slide
2) A loopful of bacterial suspension is placed in the center of the glass
3) The hollow-ground slide is inverted over the drop on the cover glass. After correct positioning, the slide is pressed gently against the cover glass to seal them together with the petroleum jelly
4) The hollow-ground slide is reinverted so that the drop of suspension now hangs from the cover glass in the concave well of the slide