BIOD 171 LAB Notebook 3 Lab 3 assignment for quiz
Essential Microbiology Portage Learning
03 Mounting Techniques
Objective: Microscopic examination of bacterial samples through various staining
techniques. Identify color and shape given samples.
Procedures:
Dry Mount - glass slide
1. Clean slide (70% ethanol)
a. Clean slides to remove any contaminants from the slide or it might be
hard to tell the difference between pathogen and contaminant
2. Circle area on side for easy location of specimen
a. Draw on the bottom to not contaminate the specimen
3. Apply organism to slide (optional)
a. If from culture, use sterile loop to spread onto slide
b. If from plate, use sterile loop to pick colonies and mix with a drop of
distilled water
4. Air dry at room temperature until all moisture has evaporated
Wet mount
1. Clean slide (70% ethanol)
2. Circle area on slide with a wax/hydrophobic pen
3. Apply organism to slide
a. If from culture, use sterile loop to spread onto slide
b. If from plate, use sterile loop to pick colonies and mix with a drop of
distilled water
4. View under microscope
a. Wet mount is ideal for viewing the motility of an organism. Do not dry out
i. Water ensures the organism will stay viable
b. Motility means that some pathogens actually have a flagella or they are
able to move in liquid culture
Gram staining - most common staining technique to identify an organism
1. Clean slide (70% ethanol)
2. Apply organism to slide
a. Use a sterile loop to spread 1 to 3 drops onto slide
Essential Microbiology Portage Learning
03 Mounting Techniques
Objective: Microscopic examination of bacterial samples through various staining
techniques. Identify color and shape given samples.
Procedures:
Dry Mount - glass slide
1. Clean slide (70% ethanol)
a. Clean slides to remove any contaminants from the slide or it might be
hard to tell the difference between pathogen and contaminant
2. Circle area on side for easy location of specimen
a. Draw on the bottom to not contaminate the specimen
3. Apply organism to slide (optional)
a. If from culture, use sterile loop to spread onto slide
b. If from plate, use sterile loop to pick colonies and mix with a drop of
distilled water
4. Air dry at room temperature until all moisture has evaporated
Wet mount
1. Clean slide (70% ethanol)
2. Circle area on slide with a wax/hydrophobic pen
3. Apply organism to slide
a. If from culture, use sterile loop to spread onto slide
b. If from plate, use sterile loop to pick colonies and mix with a drop of
distilled water
4. View under microscope
a. Wet mount is ideal for viewing the motility of an organism. Do not dry out
i. Water ensures the organism will stay viable
b. Motility means that some pathogens actually have a flagella or they are
able to move in liquid culture
Gram staining - most common staining technique to identify an organism
1. Clean slide (70% ethanol)
2. Apply organism to slide
a. Use a sterile loop to spread 1 to 3 drops onto slide
