Observing epithelial cheek cells under a microscope Virtual Lab

Summary

This instructional video demonstrates the process of creating a wet mount slide of human cheek cells for microscopic observation. It guides viewers through cleaning a slide and cover slip, collecting cheek cells with a toothpick, staining them with bromothymol blue, and preparing the slide. The tutorial continues with using a microscope to focus and adjust the view to observe the stained cells and their organelles, particularly the nucleus, in detail.

Takeaways

• 🔬 **Preparation**: Clean slides and cover slips with a wipe before starting.
• 🦠 **Cell Collection**: Use a toothpick rubbed on the inside of the cheek to collect cheek cells.
• 💧 **Staining**: Apply bromothymol blue as a stain to visualize cells.
• 📌 **Slide Making**: Transfer cells from the toothpick to the slide and add a drop of water.
• 🔬 **Cover Slip**: Place the cover slip at a 45-degree angle to avoid air bubbles.
• 🔭 **Microscope Setup**: Turn on the microscope and adjust the stage clips to hold the slide.
• 🔍 **Focusing**: Use the coarse adjustment knob to bring the cells into focus initially.
• 📏 **Zooming**: Switch to a higher objective lens and use the fine focus knob for detailed focusing.
• 🌐 **Cell Identification**: Look for cells with clear nuclei to observe organelles.
• 📱 **Enhanced Viewing**: Use a smartphone to capture and zoom in on the cells for a closer look.
• 🔄 **Adjust Contrast**: Adjust the diaphragm to change contrast and enhance cell visibility.

Q & A

What materials are needed to prepare a slide with cheek cells?

To prepare a slide with cheek cells, you will need a toothpick, water, a cleaning wipe, a slide, and a cover slip.

How should you clean the slide and cover slip before use?

You should use a cleaning wipe to gently wipe off both the slide and cover slip to ensure they are clean and free of debris.

How do you obtain cheek cells for the slide?

To obtain cheek cells, you gently rub the rounded edge of a toothpick on the inside of your cheek to collect loose cells.

What is the purpose of using bromothymol blue in the process?

Bromothymol blue is used as a stain to make the cheek cells visible under the microscope by coloring them blue.

How should you apply the bromothymol blue to the slide?

After collecting the cheek cells on the toothpick, you wipe the toothpick on the slide, then add a drop of bromothymol blue and a drop of water.

What is the correct way to place the cover slip on the slide?

Hold the cover slip at a 45-degree angle and slowly lower it onto the slide to create a wet mount.

How do you focus the microscope to view the cheek cells?

Start by using the coarse adjustment knob to bring the image into focus, then switch to the fine focus knob for precise focusing.

What is the significance of the blue color in the cells after staining?

The blue color indicates the presence of bromothymol blue, which helps in visualizing the cells and makes certain organelles, such as the nucleus, stand out more.

Why might you see air bubbles under the microscope?

Air bubbles can form if there is uneven pressure or if the cover slip was not placed correctly, which can affect the quality of the observation.

How do you adjust the microscope to view different cells?

You can move the slide around to view different areas and use the fine focus knob to adjust the focus on specific cells.

What is the role of the diaphragm in observing cheek cells?

The diaphragm can be adjusted to change the contrast of the image, which may help in distinguishing the cells and their structures more clearly.