Observing Blood Lab

Experiment 1-
Title: Observing Bacteria and Blood

Purpose: The purpose of this experiment is to learn how to use a compound microscope and an oil immersion lens while observing prepared bacterial slides. Additionally, it will be necessary to prepare slides so as to observe bacterial cultures from yogurt as well as to observe the composition of blood (i.e. red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets).

Procedure:

Exercise 1: Viewing Prepared Slides

To begin this lab experiment I first constructed my incubator using a small Styrofoam cooler and a standard 7 watt light bulb. Next, I read and reviewed the Science Lab Safety Reinforcement Agreement and the instructions on care and use of the compound microscope and oil immersion
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It took some practice to achieve competency with using the microscope; however, once this was accomplished it was much faster and easier to locate and focus on the desired specimen. It also took practice in adjusting the light source so as to have the proper contrast and brightness. In the end the practice using the prepared slides allowed for clear observation of the various bacterial cell shapes such as cocci, bacillus, and spirillium. These shapes were more easily identified in the prepared slides and this knowledge was used to view similar structures in the fresh yogurt slide. Finally, analysis of a blood smear was interesting because it was initially very hard to focus due to the cell mobility. This proved to be the result of too much pressure amongst the slide when using the oil immersion lens and after some practice it was fascinating to view the thousands of red blood cells under the microscope. There were no nuclei present in the red blood cells but the concave nature of the cells did provide for a deeper colored