Date: Wed, 8 Jan 1997 16:32:19 -0600 (CST) From: lcochran@midway.uchicago.edu (Liane Cochran-Stafira) To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg121$foo@default> Subject: home cell stain
At 01:23 AM 1/4/97 -0800, you wrote:
>Today I flattened a bladderwort bladder between a cover slip and a slide
>to view it under a microscope at home. Unfortunately, the cells
>were rather difficult to see. Does anyone know of something
>around the house or readily available that can be used as a stain for
>cells?
>Thanks,
>--Zachary--
>
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Hi Zachary,
An easy way to get stains such as malachite green (methylene blue also, I
think) is to check out your local pet shop. Many of the medications used
to treat parasitic diseases of tropical fish are formulations of these
dyes, and they are pretty inexpensive. Again, iodine is an excellent first
choice. It will help to outline the cells and will turn dark wherever
starch is located, but it won't be very helpful for visualizing cellular
organelles. You may be able to faintly see the nucleus if you play with
the light and look very carefully.
Hope this helps,
Liane Cochran-Stafira
Dept. of Ecology and Evolution
The University of Chicago
1101 East 57th Street
Chicago, Illinois 60637-5415
phone: 773-702-1930
fax: 773-702-9740
e-mail: lcochran@midway.uchicago.edu
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