Question

While mounting a glass slide what are the precautions you should follow.

Answer 1

In light microscopy, the stained material is placed in a suitable medium on a glass slide and then covered with a coverslip. This is called mounting. Once the specimen and water are combined on the slide, the cover glass is added. The cover glass should be placed at an angle to the slide, one edge touching the slide, and then lowered as if hinged there. There should be no excess water.

Complete answer:
The precautions that should be taken while mounting on a glass slide include; Apply a small amount of mounting medium to the surface of the slide; try to use an amount that will just fill the space under the coverslip, Remove the coverslip containing the sample from the buffer. Blot excess buffer or solvent from the non-sample surface of the coverslip, Slowly tip the coverslip onto the mounting medium and avoid creating bubbles as you lower it into place. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for curing time. Cell staining is an important technique used in microscopy for increasing the contrast by changing the color and thus allowing a clearer view. While mounting you should stain the specimen well. Avoid the overstraining or under staining of the sample. Avoid the folding of peels. You should use a clean and dry glass slide and coverslip. You should be very careful while putting the coverslip. Try to limit the formation of bubbles in the mounting medium. To avoid bubbles don't shake or invert your bottle of mounting medium. Clear bubbles from the tip of your applicator by squeezing a little bit of mounting medium. Clean the surface of the non-sample side of the coverslip. Seal the coverslip if desired.

Additional Information: -The term whole mounting refers to the preservation of whole plants, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits to retain their natural color, form, and shape and also to protect them from decay.
-Museum specimens are usually preserved in ethyl alcohol or formaldehyde solution.
-For permanent Mounting in Canada balsam or DPX is used as the mounting medium.

Note: -Canada balsam is an ideal natural mounting medium, used in microscopy. It is also used in fine lacquers and as a flavoring and sweet-smelling agent.
-DPX is a commonly used mounting medium. It is a colorless, neutral medium in which most stains can be well preserved.
-For temporary mounting, water, glycerin or any transparent liquid can be used as the mounting medium.