PRELIM - LABORATORY ACTIVITY 1

MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION OF MICROORGANISM IN THE LIVING STATE

Microbial dimensions are so small, and cannot be seen with the naked eye.
Microorganisms have sizes ranging from millimeters (mm) to micrometers (μm) to nanometers
(nm). Most microorganisms range in size from the tiniest bacteria, which measure roughly 200
nm up to larger protozoans and algae with dimensions of 3 to 4 mm. Discovering the uncharted
territories of the microscopic world would not be possible without the aid of a unique and
powerful tool; the microscope.

A compound light microscope is a common tool for microscopic observations in a school

laboratory setting. Magnification of a specimen occurs in two lenses. The objective lens creates
an initial or “real image” whereas the eyepiece lens forms the “virtual image” which will then be
perceived by the eye as a visual retinal image. Objective lenses have different magnification,
which works in conjunction with the ocular lens that usually has 10x power. Low power objective
has 10x, High power objective has 40x, and oil immersion has 100x magnification.

In this exercise, students are expected to (1) review the parts of the microscope and (2)
observe how microorganisms in the living state through different preparation techniques

Procedure
A. The Microscope
Review and label the parts of the microscope and provide the function on the table
provided.
B. Preparation Techniques for the microscopic examination of living specimens
Watch the corresponding videos and take note of the procedure. If no species was
mentioned in the video, find an appropriate sample to be illustrated on the datasheet with the
corresponding scientific name and magnification.

Wet Mount Technique

A wet mount is made by placing one to two drops of the culture on a slide and covered with a
coverslip

Hanging Drop Technique - determine motility of bacteria cells

Preparation of hanging drop technique requires a unique, concave depression slide, an adhesive,
and a coverslip wherein drops of a sample is placed and suspended.
Slide Culture Technique - microculture of filamentous fungi in mycology (molds)
An agar block is placed on a slide on top of a V-shaped rod in a petri dish. The petri dish has
moistened blotting paper, and after inoculation of the sample, the block is overlaid with a
coverslip.

Reference: Cowan, M. K. (2011). Microbiology: a systems approach. McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

Laboratory Activity Data Sheet

Microscopic Examination of Microorganism in the Living State

Review! Label the parts of a compound light microscope with two oculars, and provide the
function on the table provided below.
 Parts of a Microscope Function/s

a. Provide drawings/ images for a sample appropriate to a specific preparation technique and
provide the magnification.
Wet Mount Technique
Species

Magnification ( X)

Preparation Technique

Hanging Drop Technique

Species

Magnification ( X)

Preparation Technique

Slide Culture Technique

Species
 Magnification ( X)

Preparation Technique

Answer the following study questions and make sure to provide references in APA
1. Provide an illustration and brief description of the pathway of light in relation to
magnification on a compound microscope.
2. Define resolution and state why is it important in distinguishing magnified objects.
3. Define contrast and how is it measured through refractive index
4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using the Wet Mount technique?
5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using the Hanging drop technique?
6. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using the Slide Culture technique?