Question

1.Describe what you observed in your plaque smear wet-mount, direct stained slide, and indirectly stained slide. What were the similarities? What were the differences?

Answer 1

There are different methods employed to observe bacteria under a microscope. In one method wet mounts are prepared where no stains are used. The bacterial culture is taken from the liquid sample which could be a suspension made in sterlie distilled water or physiological saline. Wet mounts are prepared with an intention to observe the bacteria in living condition. Hence, one can observe the bacterial cells in live condition using a wet mount. However, since there are no stains used, only the shapes of bacteria can be identified. A direct staining technique makes use of stain, that is taken up by the bacterial cells. Therefore, in a direct stained specimen the bacterial cells can be seen in the colour of the stain whereas the background is generally clear unless there is some deposition of stain. The shape and arrangemnt of bacterial cells can be seen (eg. cocci in clusters, bacilli in chains). A third type of staining is an indirect staining which stains the backgroud. Hence, the bacterial cells are seen as colourless structures against a dark background. The shapes and arrangement of cells can be clearly seen.

The similarity in both direct and indirect stained specimen is that the shapes and arranegment of cells is the same. The only difference is that the cells stake up the stain in direct staining, as there is an affinity between the stain and the cell wall of bacteria but the background is stained in indirect staining, as there is a repulsion between the negatively charged cell wall and the negatively charged stain.

Answer 2

Through processes know as wet mounts and simple stains, observing living microorganisms through a compound microscope can generate a clearer understanding of their appearances and movements. Microorganisms are living things that for the most part cannot be seen through the naked eye. They live on and among humans, as well as plants, animals, and all that is a part of the Earth. Harmless as most seem to be to humans, microorganisms are an important relevance of study for human interest in varied perplexities and can dictate a human life's progress or deterioration; thus the significance to humans is vital

The discovery of the microscope introduced a new branch of science called microbiology. The microscope, a major instrument in this realm of study makes it possible to observe, acknowledge, and clarify implications of meaning to the study of organisms. In preparing for two basic observations, a wet mount and a simple stain, living microorganisms can be seen clearer through a simple stain and by using a drop of water, movements of microorganisms are varied. A smear is when a spreading of bacteria is made on a slide for viewing. A simple stain is when a method of observation of a living organism is smeared on a slide with one stain during a procedure. A wet mount is where a research method of an organism or organisms is placed on a slide with fluid. The microorganisms can then move freely.

Answer 3

The causes for each were not entirely the same. Before WWI countries were content to wage war on each other relatively indirectly, for control of the colonies and their resources. After WWI, the possibility of directly attacking other European countries was once again raised