2.2: Exercise #7 - Specimen Preparation and Simple Staining

OER - BIOL 2420 Laboratory Manual · LibreTexts

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    From LibreTexts, under CC BY 4.0, as the source states it; its equations are written in TeX, which the PDF shows typeset. This page at LibreTexts.

    Exercise Outcomes:

    Course Laboratory Learning Outcomes

    THECB - ACGM Lab Learning Outcome #1 Use and comply with laboratory safety rules, procedures, and universal precautions

    THECB - ACGM Lab Learning Outcome #2 Demonstrate proficient use of a compound light microscope.

    THECB - ACGM Lab Learning Outcome #3 Describe and prepare widely used stains and wet mounts and discuss their significance in identification of microorganisms.

    THECB - ACGM Lab Learning Outcome #4 Perform basic microbiology procedures using aseptic techniques for transfer, isolation, and observation of commonly encountered, clinically significant bacteria.

    Laboratory Exercise Learning Outcomes
    1. Explain the purpose of the following in the preparation of a specimen for microscopic viewing:
      1. smear
      2. heat fixation
      3. chemical fixation
    2. Explain why specimens are stained.
    3. Differentiate between acidic and basic dyes.
    4. Describe simple staining and list the information that can be determined about a sample using simple staining.
    5. Prepare and stain and oral smear.
    6. Prepare and stain bacterial smears.
    7. Explain why aseptic technique is important when preparing bacterial smears.

    Materials Needed:

    • Bunsen burner
    • Staining tray (containing stains, stain rack, and DI water)
    • Individually wrapped toothpick
    • Saline solution
    • Bacterial broth cultures
    • Test tube rack
    • Microscope slides
    • Inoculating loop
    • Microscope

    In this laboratory exercise we will be staining cells and viewing them. Students need to understand that there are different types of staining procedures utilized by microbiologist. In this lab we will employ what is known as a simple stain procedure to examine cells. We will also begin examining bacterial cellular morphology and structure.

    This page titled 2.2: Exercise #7 - Specimen Preparation and Simple Staining was last modified on Sat, 25 Jul 2026 03:42:50 GMT and is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Sherry Smith.