preparing wet mount steps preparing wet mount steps

Dry mounts are ideal for observing hair, feathers, airborne particles such as pollens and dust as well as dead matter such as insect and aphid legs or antennae. SLM Number 2-Grade 7 Science 2nd Quarter-Wet Mount, Focusing - Scribd Eosin's most important medical uses are in blood and bone-marrow testing, including the PAP smear. Each mount has its own pluses and minuses. The cover also serves to protect the objective lens from interfering with the sample drop. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. These steps generally dictate the layout and workflow in large, specialist histopathology laboratories where hundreds of specimens are handled every day. hbbd``b`$gs $A 5"t( P H\]P c`$ ' Position sample on liquid, using tweezers. Start by cutting a piece of plant or animal tissue to be mounted on the slide. Acts of the Apostles - Wikipedia Share it with us! Once the iodine or methylene blue has drawn all the way under the slide cover, the specimen is fully dyed. 3.2, step 3). Each type of preparation method is used for mounting different types of cells. What is the importance of preparing a microscopic slide? New Zealand is about 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi) east . This is the slide . Observe and draw your skin cells (wet mount) at the frequency: 10X 50X 100X 2. Place a cover slip over the specimen. Be sure to set up proper camera angles and lighting, capture good sound, and have a plan for filming each scene. Draw what you see. endstream endobj startxref This article has been viewed 86,883 times. Take a piece of paper towel and hold it close to one edge of the cover slip. 1. Document Sharing User Settings Place the wet mount on the microscope stage for Obtain the materials to make a wet mount: slide, coverslip, flat-tipped toothpicks, methylene blue stain, and physiological saline. "4F!8 ?h4O!Y' L%;TcFUWzeGeDO#K_(Iev7Xo[WA`iW,oIn% Did you make this project? Microscope Slides Preparation - Styles and Techniques Dry the slide using a clean cloth. Yes your quite right. 5. Iodine is one of the more commonly available stains and is used to identify starch in a variety of samples. . For a low power microscope, such as a dissection scope, the size of the object isn't critical, since its surface will be examined. * How to Prepare a Wet Mount Microscope Specimen * Step One: Obtain a clean microscope slide. Techwalla may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Once the slide is heat fixed, it can then be stained. View under 400X magnification immediately, otherwise the culture will dry and you will not see anything move. 82P~e6C.) Ys How to Convert a Presentation to a New Template, How to Rotate a PowerPoint Slide 90 Degrees. Use the pipette or dropper to add a few drops of water around the cover slip, ensuring the sample is entirely submerged. Saline wet mount of stool Preparation. If you are working with a liquid specimen, take a few drops of it using a medicine dropper, and place a single drop of the specimen onto the center of the slide. Water E. Specimen ( It is the middle of winter I couldn't get a leaf so I used a piece of paper). The A variety of methods exist for staining microscope slides, including non-vital or in vitro stains of non-living cells and vital or in vivo stains of living tissue. Observe the prepared slide under low power and then switch to high power to view the microorganisms in the wet mount slide. Iodine or methylene blue can be purchased at any education store or biology supply store. Your browser doesn't support HTML5 video. Place a clean coverslip over the material. A vaginal wet mount, also called a wet prep or vaginal smear, is a test done to find the cause of vaginitis, an inflammation of the vagina. Use a slide warmer or a hotplate to heat the slide for 1-2 minutes. cover slip and hold it between thumb and forefinger by the edges. Instead, use a clean eyedropper to pick up a couple of drops of the water in which the single-celled organisms or algae are swimming. Transfer this to a spray bottle, and then spray onto the stained area. Carefully lower the cover glass so that it touches with one side the drop of water. Vaginitis is often caused by an infection. Place the cover slip at an angle over the sample so that it does not touch the drop of the sample. KGKFIhR?^ T}}7i5!Til8ViMQ1S,IQu%V_Wt41j}u^-g+C$i]Z_2%-Y6{RtlN.}/?+{IMaWb_{1_b$A.@:U9u"Umgs}IN8?"QYl)ng(yq| @1? x}X[> OHI K l0?0?b!I4ij!Io=I%:N3O;1fLk|Sfi:6u$q2{/kABH Concave microscope slides contain one or more surface depressions ideal for liquid solutions and larger specimens. Pick Using a transfer pipette, obtain a drop of specimen and place onto the center of the slide. Put a drop of stain on an outer edge of your cover slide. Temporary Dry Mount Slides - Miami University Ask the patient to empty their bladder prior to the procedure. One way to retard evaporation is to use a toothpick to coat the edges of the coverslip with a thin rim of petroleum jelly before dropping the coverslip over the sample. Hanging drop preparation is a special type of wet mount in which a drop of medium containing the organisms is placed on a microscope slide, often used in dark illumination to observe the motility of bacteria. Place a drop of liquid culture onto the microscope slide and spread it to form a thin film. It's a good idea to practice this until you're comfortable with it. experiment. What are the steps to make a wet mount? - KnowledgeBurrow.com The angle of the smearing slide determines the length of the smear; a steeper angle creates a shorter smear. Can you use a stain on a wet mount slide? Hour: Place the steps in the correct order Rank the options below. Biological waste container and bag 4. Once completely dry, the coverslip should be securely sealed with the nail polish. Allow the water to dry for several minutes. %PDF-1.5 % Let the polish dry completely before handling the coverslip again. Start by selecting a thin bottle of clear nail polish. Step 1 Use a flat glass slide to prepare a wet mount. Place a drop of liquid using in the center of the slide using the eyedropper. Place the coverslip on top of the slide, making sure to avoid trapping any air bubbles. ADMIRAL CRAFT H3-8FP Hyperion3 Natural Fry Pan, 8" H38FP 3.2, step 2). Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2020, August 28). She has conducted survey work for marine spatial planning projects in the Caribbean and provided research support as a graduate fellow for the Sustainable Fisheries Group. This just made it simpler and easier for me to carry out in the school laboratory. Then lower the cover slip completely. Place the cover slip on top of the specimen: hold the edge of the cover slip with your fingers and place it on top of the specimen, making sure the entire specimen is covered. A cover slip may be used to keep the specimen in place and to help protect the objective lens. Students also viewed. The general procedure of making a wet mount Place a drop of water on the center of the slide. A Pocket Sundial From a Broken Pocket Watch! 2023 Travel Lite Rove Lite 14BH Travel Trailer - $27,990 To prepare a wet mount you need a few materials. For example, scientists and health professionals use Methylene Blue, a slightly alkaline stain, to reveal the presence of deoxyribonucleic acid, more commonly known as DNA. Typically, a smear should be allowed to air dry before applying a stain. Use a flat glass slide to prepare a wet mount. Without the cover in place, surface tension would cause the droplet to bunch up in a dome. The newest addition to the Adcreaft cookware line. Additional variations to microscope slides include: if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'microscopemaster_com-banner-1','ezslot_7',111,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-microscopemaster_com-banner-1-0'); Almost always made of borosilicate or silicate glass, cover slips hold samples in place and protect them from inadvertent movement and contamination. Prepared slides can be purchased in sets and are almost always permanent, providing indefinite reuse.. Wet Mount - Scientist Cindy Collect a drop of stain with an eye dropper or pipette. Adding a couple of strands of cotton from tissue or swab or else adding tiny bits of broken coverslip will add space and "corral" the organisms. Pick up a flat glass slide with one hand, grasping it by the outer edges. "I am about ready to start making slides for observation through a digital microscope I have assembled. Place the cover slip over the tissue and the water, making sure to avoid trapping air bubbles. This travel trailer is ready for an adventure whenever you are! Place the slide on a piece of paper towel and use a dropper to add 2-3 drops of water to the slide. In order to heat fix a bacterial smear, it is necessary to first let the bacterial sample air dry. PART I WET MOUNT Prepare wet mount slides of both S. aureus and P. vulgaris using 5 loopfuls of each organism in the center of a slide; Cover the organism with a cover slip. The Hyperion3 collection is constructed of premium 3003 aluminum for superior heat transfer. Exercise 5.5: Microscopy Homework Flashcards | Quizlet _a#Pi\gm2B=fo[N t!u=Qol~pC?G?2?Hkx What are the advantages of using a wet mount slide preparation quizlet Apply a second thin layer of clear nail polish over the coverslip. When preparing a vaseline mount, keep in mind that the image The etched frosting keeps all pen marks safely away from the sample and a selection of frosted colors provides additional means of categorization. Lower the cover glass onto the water drop at an angle. General Science Dry mount means placing sample directly on slide without putting water. Add a drop of normal saline solution or 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH) to the slide. vAC}Qz`pr9 ^Ai~X+RBM{Cj ^m]UISO6{5_^K(@b JZhM[]X3Tt*^oJ4SQfpU:>KRBYqumS2Dn5.]S6otgX&WtO@A4]g^ZI|hVd Take a second clean slide. If examining a plant cell, tap water can be used. Start by collecting a sample of fresh urine in a sterile container. What is the correct sequence of the steps in preparing wet mount? If you examine the slide immediately, you need not seal the coverslip. M for the first step followed by o for the second step and U, N, and T for the next steps. Place the tissue on the slide and add a few drops of water. It colors red for blood cells, cytoplasm and cell membranes. Standard slides can be either plastic or glass and are 1 x 3 inches (25 x 75 mm) in size and 1 to 1.2 mm thick. What problems to avoid when making a wet mount slide? Do not use tissues or paper towels, as these can leave lint behind. Using a pipette bulb, aspirate a small amount of the Proteus culture with a capillary pipette and place a small drop on a clean microscope slide (fig. Your objective is to have sufficient water to fill the space between cover slip and slide. 89 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<805C463A0618AA4683A03A421F488943><2F25A7CD4100F14C97045E7430F981BF>]/Index[72 41]/Info 71 0 R/Length 91/Prev 216683/Root 73 0 R/Size 113/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream 5 Why do you need to prepare a wet mount? For example, use a concave slide if youre preparing a curled flower petal that rolls to one side or the other. Preparation Techniques: Dry Mounts, Wet Mount, Squash, Staining. When finished, carefully remove the cover slip and clean the slide and the microscope. Suck up a few drops of your liquid specimen into a medicine dropper. How to Create a Wet Mount : 4 Steps - Instructables observation. endstream endobj 81 0 obj <>stream Lower the cover slip slowly over the center and remove any water with the towel. If you're wet mounting a particularly pale or translucent specimen, you may need to stain the specimen so it's visible beneath the microscope. Microscope slides and slide covers are small and delicate. endstream endobj 84 0 obj <>stream This will draw out some water. A smear is made by carefully smearing a thin layer of the specimen across a slide and then applying a cover slip. step 1: Place your specimen in the centre of the slide. A wet mount slide is the most common type of slide preparation for microscope work. og.xyw||`@`a_#eS/)i=Z)d{ :I|AJt(|;e"=f$smh9x?2?VvV*&Pi`6g/~$O|3&m-Y+r"LPgx_4I?g=o}-.5[iHWOj}-]~FE+Q" See more details >, Toll free: (877) 409-3556 Place the cover slip over the piece of hair and place the slide on the stage over the aperture. ", "This was very helpful for my science homework. Add any special effects necessary to create the desired microbiology images. Illuminated on the stage of a compound light microscope, an amazing new view into the world can be seen with the simple act of placing a sample on a glass slide. Place the swab on a glass slide and spread the sample out. Edit the footage using the computer and software. Why would use a wet mount? Place a cover slip onto the microscope slide so that it covers the thin film of liquid culture. endstream endobj 78 0 obj <>stream There are different types of microscopes and also different types of samples, so there is more than one way to prepare a microscope slide. Increase the magnification and adjust the focus to view the sample in greater detail. Number 2 covers, .17-.25 mm, are designed for general purpose. 2nd I should have used a smaller piece of paper to represent a specimen. Directions: Arrange the sequence of the steps on preparing a wet mount by writing letters M O U N T inside the box. Place a sample on the slide. 3.2, step 1). If the sample is soft, a "squash slide" may be made by. The main methods of placing samples onto microscope slides are wet mount, dry mount, smear, squash and staining. Gently press down on the coverslip with a pencil or a slide press to secure it in place. Place a drop or two of suspension on a clean slide, and turn the coverslip Apply another thin layer of polish to the top side of the coverslip. Model: MTY 543-392: 504-543-392 Sold by: 1 Each Equivalent model numbers: MTY543392 MTY 543-392 MTY 543392 MTY 543-392 504-543-392 Cheek Epithelial Cells: How to Prepare a Wet Mount Microscope Slide (5[- Then slowly lower the cover glass into the liquid. Wet Mount Slide: A Complete Guide - Microscope Clarity 254 0 obj <>stream Have the patient lie down on an exam table with their feet in stirrups. This will help remove any air bubbles and give you a smooth surface. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'microscopemaster_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_4',148,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-microscopemaster_com-medrectangle-3-0'); The most basic of all microscope slides is a flat rectangular piece of soda lime glass, borosilicate cover glass or plastic, with ground edges. +V_=o?6C_~~P]c,,h54@.BE1REmX++'}i+ GQ{Z@O?T F Sc%z ~DrB Pe" GI7M8y e,R ff:[QOv36b2"5O`)`Cftc=jS|1?D/}75~Wo[j%?DamhVqP~'P9#sRjTbhK mm+/ zuj^Wqs>@gezn5>r\BB7{|te=Mau7G=>@k5?G-x5Ihk/m?G{Q#C9"A7^8% Kn8 B8pP{l:b]/?Y?|+Jq8p8p8p%8p8p8p8p8p8p({c_99!$(PjAhGCh3qr #*}+nv-~H70" ;cWP_a 3bv;=}Q_Vn _@_XZ~c73#-c. Sharps container 3. Use a sweeping motion to ensure no air bubbles are trapped in the polish. Read about the benefits of owning a set of, . How To Get Red Wine Out of Wood (Methods, Tricks & Steps) Add one drop of physiological saline and then add a stool equivalent to a match stick head (2 mg) with the help of a stick. If the coverslip is too dry, add a drop of water beside it. In addition, they can be used as controls for students and researchers to compare collected samples. Figure 1: A diagnostic section being prepared with a cryostat microtome. Show more Show. Secure the coverslip with tape, clips, or a slide holder. ,Z_I{dCa^"4\Azx/FH4e4nqBqtn}rm~`Nhc#\+'"#|4M?W|{a[rj-UT%%{gEldCA'3Y`z=zryTl4z&PIV$d[J=@_RShO!\lQn2Vi_#_XDO~/E~KD#Vv+eM/fzh;C;S^c6] D;6| Place the steps in the correct order. For making a wet mount you will need:A. endstream endobj startxref wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. for diagnosis or treatment. How do you prepare a wet mount for viewing under a microscope? Do not use stain if viewing photosynthetic cells (which already appear green due to chlorophyll), or living organisms, such as protozoans in pond water (stains will kill them). Carefully place the cover slip on top of the liquid drop. Capillary action will pull the dye across the slide to stain the specimen. Privacy Policyby Hayley Andersonat MicroscopeMaster.com All rights reserved 2010-2021, Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Slide preparation of a microscopic sample is a crucial step which depends on the nature of the specimen. Stains are especially useful in the fields of histology, virology and pathology, allowing researchers to study and diagnose diseases, identify gram positive and negative bacteria as well as examine detailed attributes of a variety of cells. -the specimen can be viewed as living cells Each of the following steps are necessary in preparing and observing a wet mount. Turn on the condenser and adjust the light intensity and focus as needed. These more expensive microscope slides can be used without a cover. Less frequent characteristics include rectangular shapes, alternative materials such as quartz and certain types of plastic, etched lines or grids and additional thicknesses.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'microscopemaster_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_12',123,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-microscopemaster_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); If not creating a permanent slide with glue and/or sealant, cover slips can be removed and sterilized for multiple reuses. Apply a thin layer of polish to the underside of the coverslip. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Place a drop of water on the center of the slide Step 2 to preparing a wet mount slide. [L}FvtD_?\Yal{6B7o9H7 3 What is the advantage of using a wet mount preparation? take the utmost precaution and care when performing a microscope HU0}7QZ2eA0ZRX@}Hn;rvBSS|9 *W 9}"4!C pr9h? :x_-aQxdD8 O0&~&x"H6!lj[=CF^`8 &# l:%#:0eZaKcQ*Pv?3^=w/RfZ2k)2mDwB The presence of bubbles can also keep live organisms from moving freely. What is the proper order for preparing an onion wet mount slide? Step 1: Materials 2 More Images For making a wet mount you will need: A. Basic Techniques of I 2. WoB8%"Z}[ qiXx1 i}=6KXl?|9E e: Wet-mount Slides A wet-mount slide is when the sample is placed on the slide with a drop of water and covered with a coverslip, which holds it in place through surface tension. Glass SlidesB. You can use a garden hose and spray water over the soil until it is damp and evenly moist. How To Treat Erectile Dysfunction Naturally, Effective Treatment to Cure Premature Ejaculation. Instead of focusing on the edge of the drop, however, you may find it helpful to focus first on the left-hand edge of the coverslip. Place a drop of liquid or solution onto the slide. Put on gloves and collect a sample of vaginal discharge with a swab. In a wet mount, a drop of water is used to suspend the . :5%iH"/:8QTm`Dwz Jd!5z_w;UPos8@8D Place a sample on a slide. Thanks for the criticism. It consists of ecologically and metabolically diverse members. 2.Using a transfer pipette, obtain a drop of specimen and place onto the center of the slide. Submit your film to a film festival, or put it up on a streaming service such as YouTube or Vimeo. Obtain as thin a sample of the specimen as possible and place the sample on the water Step 3 to preparing a wet mount slide. Making Microscope Slides: Dry Mount, Wet Mount, and Prepared Mount In this case, 84% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. The Acts of the Apostles [a] ( Koin Greek: , Prxeis Apostln; [2] Latin: Acts Apostolrum) is the fifth book of the New Testament; it tells of the founding of the Christian Church and the spread of its message to the Roman Empire. Living specimens do not survive long in the heat from an intense microscope Question: When preparing a wet mount for study under the microscope, you must ensure that a cover slip is placed over the specimen a drop of water is added to the specimen on the slide the low power lens is above the object on the stage a drop of methylene blue is added to the specimen. Preparing a wet mount slide Step 1 - Onion Sample Extraction - Cut a small section from the onion. personal issues resulting from performing the experiment. Step Two: Place a drop of liquid on the slide. Used for aquatic samples, living organisms and natural observations, wet mounts suspend specimens in fluids such as water, brine, glycerin and immersion oil. Wet Mount. Hold a slide up to a light source and look through to make sure it's free from smudges and dirt. They will also stain skin (temporarily) and clothing (permanently), so wear clothes that you dont care about when handling the chemicals. )jv14l:pw%+4t;7BWA=1E4@]]V*xsG},NICjU;-a"p=+0% -,yfs40aiI 2cF>!OOO:7mupN~rebU/_9&2fU"4VGOgz 3@>Uo4jQUH/4={dzS')KC(W % xB(P- See more details >, Eosin Y is an acidic stain which stains pink for alkaline cells (cytoplasm, for example). Be sure to Simply take a single 5^ffk_ MyyGQ%rHKI &Qf9:*;iJWjS9t%:CZ OF`:"r(J81*JrLJ:De^c(]*zF;Q*9'j'QYtR!M~9+E@/*E#Qj1PXWNodlNKx>x .z=X=a!~-O4898&}"i{=^f5^.\ I_)gr@[q`3FV:wtu~30 ;g Prepare a wet mount with those cells Remove the skin of the provided onion and carefully slice a small specimen to observe. Solved (chapter 5 Assignment Pre-lab Video Coaching - Chegg Spread it out using a glass insertion needle. They are also used for any sort of specimen that needs to be kept moist. Place the specimen on a clean slide, and if necessary, add a drop of immersion oil. Place a sample on the slide. 9 years ago This is usually done after you have already examined the wet specimen in a slide without staining it. 2 See answers Advertisement Turn on the microscope and adjust the focus until the specimen is clear. Allow the polish to dry entirely before handling the coverslip. How to Prepare a Wet Mount Specimen Step One - Obtain a clean microscope slide. "I am giving a local talk on microscopy and was looking for a good basic reference to get people started. Saving time and money, electrostatic charged slides are a popular choice for researchers of histology, cytology and pathology. Get a speciman that is small and thin eniugh to let light through. Examine the preparation in the same manner as in Experiment 3.1, following procedures 6 through 10. MicroscopeMaster website is for educational purposes only. The method used to prepare a slide depends on the nature of the specimen. ", http://www.microscopemaster.com/microscope-slides.html, https://learning-center.homesciencetools.com/article/microscope-slide-making-ideas/, https://www.carolina.com/teacher-resources/Interactive/make-microscope-slides-for-science-fair-projects/tr10768.tr, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YU0DYrU_0FM&feature=youtu.be&t=1m40s, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YU0DYrU_0FM&feature=youtu.be&t=1m51s, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YU0DYrU_0FM&feature=youtu.be&t=1m54s, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YU0DYrU_0FM&feature=youtu.be&t=2m11s, preparar un portaobjetos para microscopio. ZaneThePwner. https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-prepare-microscope-slides-4151127 (accessed March 5, 2023). Allow the bacteria to settle on the slide. Made of glass or plastic, slides are approximately 1x3 inches and between 1mm-1.2 mm thick. Dry Mount: The dry mount is the most basic technique: simply position a thinly sliced section on the center of the slide and place a cover slip over the sample. endstream endobj 73 0 obj <>/Metadata 2 0 R/Pages 70 0 R/StructTreeRoot 6 0 R/Type/Catalog/ViewerPreferences 90 0 R>> endobj 74 0 obj <>/MediaBox[0 0 612 792]/Parent 70 0 R/Resources<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI]/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/StructParents 0/Tabs/S/Type/Page>> endobj 75 0 obj <>stream Although care has been taken whenpreparing Check for the presence of yeast, bacteria, trichomonas and other organisms. Common Objects to Examine With a Microscope. The slide may be already prepared, even if it is not stained. Solved Each of the following steps are necessary in | Chegg.com Place the coverslip on a flat surface, such as a paper towel or clean petri dish. Microscope slides are used to examine single-celled organisms and to look up-close at small plants and organisms. Kitchen Cabinet Wood Grain Cabinetry 12V Refrigerator 2-Burner Stainless . Each of the following steps are necessary in preparing and observing a wet mount. Some liquids are either too deeply colored or too thick to view using the wet mount technique. A vaginal wet mount (sometimes called a vaginal smear) is a test to find the cause of vaginitis, or inflammation of the vagina and the area around the vagina (vulva). Clean a slide and cover slipping using lens paper. 0 You can prepare home-cooked meals with the 2-burner cooktop, 12V refrigerator and single bowl stainless steel sink, and then enjoy them at the front booth dinette which can transform into a 54 x 74 bed. Make sure the coverslip is clean and free of dirt, dust, or grease. Obtain a clean microscope slide and a cover slip. Scrape your thumb carefully on each edge of the coverslip to make a continuous vaseline ledge. Position sample on liquid, using tweezers. At an angle, place one side of the cover slip against the slide making contact with outer edge of the liquid drop. Place the slide on the stage of a microscope, taking care not to disturb the cover slip. At an angle, place one side of the cover slip against the slide making contact with outer edge of the liquid drop. If viewing a sample not already in the liquid, use tweezers to position the specimen within the drop. First I used paper to represent the specimen. Starting with low power, focus on the hair using the proper procedure that you have practised. Make the bubble move towards the edge of the cover slip by tapping it with the eraser-end of a pencil. The cover breaks this tension, flattening the sample and allowing very close inspection with minimal focusing. Wladimir Bulgar / Science Photo Library / Getty Images. Ensure that the cover slip is held at a 45-degree angle when laying it over the specimen. It may be necessary to use a knife or razor blade to shave a section of the sample. Hold the cover glass on one side with the help of tweezers. 1. Two liquids are commonly used, normal saline and potassium hydroxide. The thin, transparent cover glass is usually square and available in types Number 1 and Number 2. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. It can be a piece of prepared specimen or something from nature, such as a leaf or a bit of algae. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Pull a strand of hair from your head and only your head and place it on the slide. Advantages This type of slide preparation allows you to view microscopic living things without them drying out. Although wet mounts can be used to prepare a significantly wide range of microscope slides, they provide a transitory window as the liquid will dehydrate and living specimens will die. Start with brightfield, then switch over to darkfield and phase-contrast (see directions below). Ons: Arrange the sequence of the steps on preparing a wet mount by