Biology Lab Manual 2022 - 23

EXPERIMENT 8
STUDY OF TS OF BLASTULA THROUGH PERMANENT SLIDE
AIM:
Study of TS of blastula through permanent slide
REQUIREMENTS:
Permanent slide of T.S. of blastula, compound microscope, lens cleaning fluid and paper, pencil
eraser.
PROCEDURE:
i. Select a good prepared slide of T.S. of blastula and focus under 10x magnification under light
microscope.
ii. Now, study the structures and draw the different layers of cells seen.
iii. And finally compare these structures with the labelled diagrams given ahead and identify
them accordingly.

OBSERVATIONS:
The transverse section of blastula shows the following features:
i. It is a spherical mass of cells.
ii. The outermost layer, i.e. zona pellucida followed by a layer of trophoblasts is clearly seen.
iii. Within the envelope, a fluid filled cavity called blastocoel is commonly found.
iv. Mass of cells inner to the trophoblast is called inner cell mass. Inner mass cells form the
embryo.
v. The blastocyst has embryonic or animal pole which is found opposite to the abembryonic pole.
RESULT
The transverse section of blastula clearly shows all the characteristic features of blastula stage of a
mammal.
PRECAUTIONS
 Objective and eye lenses should be cleaned before viewing the slide.
 The slide should be centrally placed so that it can be focused properly under the low and high
powers of compound microscope in order to enhance the clear visibility of all cells.

25 Velammal Bodhi Campus, Ponneri