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Sporeworks'
Basic Microscopy Tek
How
to properly view your spores under a microscope.
Below
you will find Instructions on how to properly
use and view your microscopy spore kits. Instructions
can also generically be applied to spore collections
from the wild, or hydrated spore suspensions other
than the traditional spore syringe. Instructions
for viewing both Hydrated
Spores (ie spore syringe microscopy kits)
and Dry Spores (ie spore print
microscopy kits) have been detailed below.
For
Hydrated Spores (spore contained
in solution, ie spore syringe microscopy
kits).
1.
Remove the glass slide and cover-slip
from the cardboard case and place on a flat
surface.
Shake
the syringe vigorously to distribute spores
in the solution. |
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2.
CAUTION: The dispensing
needle tip is often very sharp unless blunted
and can easily puncture skin.
Remove
the shield from the dispensing tip and carefully
place a single drop of solution on the glass
slide.
With
extreme care, replace the shield on the
dispensing tip.
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3.
Place
the square cover-slip over the drop of solution.
Absorb
excess solution with the corner of a paper
towel.
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| 4.
Place the slide on the microscope's
stage and view at 400x to 1000x magnification.
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| For
Dry Spores (spore NOT contained
in solution, ie spore print microscopy kits).
1.
Remove the glass slide and cover-slip
from the cardboard case and place on a flat
surface.
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| 2.
With an eyedropper place a single drop of
water on the glass slide.
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| 3.
Remove the paper containing the dry spores
from the plastic envelope and unfold to
expose the spores.
Scrape
up a tiny amount of spores with a wooden
toothpick.
Stir
the spores into the water droplet on the
glass slide.
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4.
Place
the square cover-slip over the drop of solution.
Absorb
excess solution with the corner of a paper
towel.
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| 5.
Place the slide on the microscope's
stage and view at 400x to 1000x magnification.
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