LAB 01 – Hand washing technique, Microscopy
Glo-germ is a safe, odorless, and hypoallergenic product that glows when exposed to ultraviolet light. It can
be used on surfaces or skin to simulate the presence of microbial organisms or how microbes can spread.
In one simulation, spreading Glo germ on hands reproduces the microbial flora on the skin. Glo germ can be
easily removed by washing it off. The individual’s hands can then be exposed to UV light and this will show
any areas on the hands that were not washed off properly or were completely missed. *It is important that
you do not over-wash your hands so that you get a true reading of your current hand washing skills.
This will allow you to know what you need to improve.
Materials: Glo-germ, UV light
Activity 1: Testing hand-washing skills
1. Use 1 or 2 drops of Glo-germ as lotion and spread it on your hands thoroughly
2. Wait 30 seconds and then go to the sink and wash your hands as you NORMALLY do after you use the
bathroom or before you eat. Do not over-wash because you want to see your true hand-washing skills.
3. When the lights are turned off, have a classmate flash UV light over your hands to see any areas that
are fluorescing.
Activity 2: Operating a compound microscope
Both large and small organisms make important
contributions to our ecosystem. Our naked eye can
easily see many plants and animals, but without the
assistance of magnifying lenses, we cannot see the
smaller organisms. Microscopes are the instruments
we use to assist our eyes when viewing these minute
specimens. There are different types of microscopes
that serve different purposes. During this exercise
you’ll learn to use a dissecting microscope and a
compound microscope. Dissecting microscopes
(Fig 1A) can be used to view larger objects that are
not easily mounted on flat slides and have a
maximum magnification of 40X. Compound
microscopes (Fig 1B) are used to view objects that
can be mounted on flat slides (not bulky), and have a maximum magnification of 1000X.
Your instructor will go over the parts of the microscope before you begin.
• Listen carefully as your instructor will walk you step-by-step for Activity 1.
• Be sure to label microscope parts (#1 on the answer worksheet) as you instructor describes each structure.
• Everyone must complete Activity 1 before moving on to activity 2.
1. Grab a microscope from the cabinet. Carry it properly by grabbing it by the neck with one hand and holding
it under the base with the other hand.
2. Select a slide titled letter “e”.
3. Turn on the microscope and place the slide into the clip on the microscope stage.
4. Using the stage knobs, move the stage so the center of the slide (glass circle) is directly under the light.
5. Using the nosepiece, rotate the objectives and place the 4X objective over the slide. DO NOT rotate
objectives by grabbing them directly.
LAB 01 – Hand washing technique, Microscopy
6. Using the course adjustment knob, make sure the stage is all the way down.
7. Adjust both eye pieces so that your field of view merges into one field of view (one
circle instead of two).
8. SLOWLY rotate the course adjustment knob to move up the stage, bringing the stage
closer to the objective.
9. Watch for the “e” to appear in your field of view. You will miss it if you bring the stage
up too fast.
10. Center the “e” in your field of view and use the fine adjustment knob to focus it.
11. Switch objectives so you can view the “e” using the 10X objective.
12. Show your instructor the “e” under 10X. Have your instructor check off for completion in #3 on the
answer worksheet.
13. Draw the “e” as accurately as possible in color, shape, and size, using the 10X objective in #4 on the
answer worksheet.
Activity 3: Familiarize yourself with single-celled bacteria, protist, and fungi
Microbes ubiquitous and very tiny. You carry an entourage of viruses, bacteria, fungi, and animals on
your body all the time. Some of them are beneficial, some are just along for the ride or feeding off your
by-products without causing harm, and some are parasitic and harmful. In this class, you will be working
with microbial life so it is important that you become familiar with the different shapes, sizes, and
structures of microbes.
1. Take a prepped slide of ONE bacteria.
2. Place each slide under the microscope and find your specimen using the scanning objective (4x).
3. Once you find the sample, then increase magnification to the 10X and then 40X objective.
4. Sketch your observations at 40X in your answer worksheet.
5. Be as detailed as possible in your drawings.
6. Follow the instructions in your worksheet for labeling and drawing the cells.
7. Return all slides to their proper tray.
8. Repeat steps 1-7 using ONE protist slide, and ONE fungal slide.
E
LAB 01 – Hand washing technique, Microscopy
Name: ________________________________ Date: ________________________
THE FOLLOWING PAGES SHOULD BE PRINTED OUT TO COMPLETE AND SUBMIT IN LAB.
Data Analysis Questions:
1. Explain why proper handwashing technique so important for your health (1.5 pts).
2. Explain why handwashing is more effective than sanitizers (1.5 pts).
3. Write the name and purpose of each structure of the microscope. (2 pts)
4. You found the letter “e” under using 10X and showed it to your professor. ________________ (1 pt)
5. Center the letter “e” under the objective and draw it using the 10x
objective. Your drawings should be as close as possible to what
you are seeing under the microscope (size, color, etc.). (1 pts)
LAB 01 – Hand washing technique, Microscopy
6. Choose a bacterial slides from any of the following: “Bacteria Types Gram Stained”, “Bacteria Types w.m.”,
Staphylococcus epidermidis, or Anabeana. Draw what you observe using 40X objective. (1 pt)
Name of slide: __________________________
Write characteristics such as size, color, shape.
7. Choose a fungi slide from any on the tray labeled fungi. Draw ONE of the single-celled yeast you can see
using the 10x or 40X objective. (1 pt)
Name of slide: __________________________
Write characteristics such as size, color, shape.
8. Choose a protist slide from any of the following: “Mixed protozoa”, “Dinolagellates”, “Flagellates from white
ant” (Turtox No. P1.247), Volox (Turtox No. B1. 221), or Amoeba proteus. Some slides contain a variety of
specimen. Draw only ONE of the single-celled protists you can see using the 10X or 40X objective. (1 pts)
Name of slide: __________________________
Write characteristics such as size, color, shape.
