Things to know for Cell 211 Lab #1

1. Metric System : know the units and be able to convert from one to the other (e.g., mm to km)

2. Measurements

length (in mm, cm, m)
weight (in grams, mg)
volume (in liters, ml = cm3)
temperature [Remember : Co= 5/9 (Fo -32)]

3. Microscopy

know how to care for slides, coverslips, microscopes
compound microscope : make wet mounts of pond water, diatoms, cheek scrapings, onion
stain cells with IKI or methylene blue
dissecting microscope : developmental slides of pig, chick

4. "Techniques" learn to pipette :

a. according to instructions in lab manual p. MT-1, MT-2
check accuracy by pipetting into small graduated cylinder, e.g., measure 1 ml
complete the chart in the lab manual

b. do serial dilutions :
i. label four small test tubes as A, B, C, D
ii. using blue pipettor and blue tip, take 0.5 ml (= 500 ul) of stock dye and add it to test tube A
iii. add 4.5 ml of water to test tube A
now you have a one in 10 dilution of stock, written as 1:10
iv. using yellow tip and 50-200 ul pipettor, take 0.1 ml (= 100 ul) of solution from tube A, and place it into tube B, add 900 ul water
now you have a 1 in 100 dilution of stock, written as 1:100
v. using yellow tip and 50-200 ul pipettor, take 0.1 ml (= 100 ul) of solution from tube B, and place it into tube C, add 900 ul water
now you have a 1 in 1000 dilution of stock, written as 1:1000
vi. using white tip and 0-10 ul pipettor, take 0.01 ml (=10 ul) of solution from tube A and place it into tube D, add 990 ul of water
now you have a 1 in 1000 dilution of stock, written as 1:1000

compare the color in tube D with that in tube C; they have the same concentration of dye

5. Mini-lab practical When you have completed all of the procedures and the work in the lab manual, you should take the mini-practical set up in the prep room. Take only a sheet of paper and a writing utensil.

Reminder : there will be a 10 pt quiz next week, so review this material before then !!

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