Name: Section: Group No.

Date: Score:

Exercise No. 8 Microscopic Observation of Bacteria with Relationship to their comparative Sizes/shapes

Bacteria are always unicellular. They are so tiny and transparent and so slightly refractile that they are difficult to see unless rendered visible by staining their bodies are slightly homogeneous or slightly granular. Theyre shape is maintained by a cel l membrane which is so delicate that it cannot be seen with the ordinary microscope. Bacteria do not contain a definite nuclei, but nuclear material is scattered throughout the cell and has tendency to be more dense near the center of the cell.

MATERIALS: Compound Microscope Cedar wood oil Prepared slide of different shapes of bacteria

PROCEDURE: 1. Place the stained slide in position 2. Turn the revolving nosepiece until the 4 mm objective (high dry) is in position. 3. Lower the body tube with the coarse adjustment until the objective almost touches the slide. 4. Adjust and focus the light using the plans mirror sub stage diaphragm and condenser adjustments. 5. Bring the object into focus by slowly racking upward with the coarse adjustment for final focusing. 6. Remove the slide from the stage and place a drop of O.I.O oil over the stained preparation. 7. Replace the slide on the stage and turn the nosepiece to the O.I.O. 8. Lower the tube until the lens almost touches the slide through the drop of oil as observed with your eyes at the level of the stage. 9. Focus upward very slowly with the coarse adjustments until you see the bacteria. Refocus with the fine adjustments. 10. Study the different slides given and make labelled sketched of representatives morphological types of microorganism seen.

RESULT Sketch the different grouping of bacteria. Show their shape and unusual structure. COCCI

BACILLI

SPIRILLI

QUESTIONS: 1. Why should bacteria be stained?

2. What important morphological aspect is preserved in this study?