Microbiology & Parasitology (Nursing) - Laboratory

Module #3 Student Activity Sheet

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

Lesson title:Studying Microorganisms in the living state Materials:

At the end of the exercise, the students should be able to: Alcohol lamp
1. Observe motile organisms from pond water or hay infusions; Applicator sticks
2. Identify some motile organisms from the samples; and Compound microscopes
3. Differentiate true motility from Brownian movement. Cover slips
Droppers
Glass slides
Hanging drop slides
Inoculating loop
Petroleum jelly
Pond water/Hay infusion

References:
Cappuccino, J.G. and Sherman, N. (2017)
Microbiology: A Laboratory Manual 11th
Edition, Global Edition,
Pearson Education Inc., San Francisco.

Bognot F.L. et al., (2015) Laboratory Manual

in Microbiology and Parasitology for Allied
Medical Courses 2nd Edition

A. LESSON PREVIEW/REVIEW
Describe the steps you would take to correct the following problems.

1. What is the principle behind the use of the autoclave?

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2. What temperature is used for the autoclave and why is this used?
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B. MAIN LESSON - 50 Minutes

Microorganisms include groups like bacteria, fungi, protozoa, some algae, and parasites. These microorganisms
manifest diverse characteristics. Bacteria, for example, are differentiated by their shapes, staining properties, colony
growths, and biochemical reactions and motility, among others. Protozoans are classified according to whether they are
motile or not and based on the organelles that they use for locomotion. Bacteria move by means of flagella whereas

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 Microbiology & Parasitology (Nursing) - Laboratory
Module #3 Student Activity Sheet
protozoans use either the flagella, cilia, or pseudopods for movement. True motility should not be mistaken for Brownian
movement which is the random movement produced by currents in liquids causing organisms to vibrate and move.

Motile organisms found in pond water or hay infusions can be observed in their natural living state using the wet mount
method or the hanging drop preparation. The wet mount method involves placing a drop of the specimen on a glass slide
and covering it with a slip. In the hanging drop preparation, a cover slip with a drop of the specimen is inverted over a
slide with a concavity at the center (hanging drop slide). Both preparations are then examined under the microscope.

CAPPUCCINO (2017)

C. CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING (60 Minutes)

This will serve as an experiment for the students. Each correct answer has corresponding points as advised by your
instructors.

PROCEDURE

Wet mount preparation

1. on a clean slide, place a drop of pond water or hay infusion at the center.
2. Place a cover slip over the specimen and examine under the LPO,
3. Observe the microorganisms and take note of their movement.

Hanging drop method

1. Place a thin ring of petroleum jelly around the edge of the concavity of a
hanging drop slide.
2. Flame sterilize an inoculating loop, then cools it for a few seconds. Use it to
transfer two loopfuls of pond water/hay infusion at the center of a cover slip.
3. Invert the hanging drop slide so that the petroleum-ringed concavity is directly
over the drop of water on the cover slip. Press lightly to seal the sample.

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 Microbiology & Parasitology (Nursing) - Laboratory
Module #3 Student Activity Sheet
4. Re-invert quickly so that the water sample hangs suspended from the cover
slip in the concavity of the slide.

Do not allow the water sample to drop or touch the bottom of the concavity. .If the water drops, repeat the procedure.
Examine hanging drop slide under the PO and observe the different motile organisms.

CAPPUCCINO (2017)
A. Draw the different organisms observed in the wet mount preparation.

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 Microbiology & Parasitology (Nursing) - Laboratory
Module #3 Student Activity Sheet

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 Microbiology & Parasitology (Nursing) - Laboratory
Module #3 Student Activity Sheet

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

1. Based on your observations of microorganisms in their living state, which between the wet mount method and the
hanging drop method is better? Why?

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2. Aside from observing motility, what are the other uses of the wet mount and the hanging drop preparations?

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LESSON WRAP-UP

AL Activity: The Muddiest Point

The instructor will ask the students to answer what was least clear to them. This technique will help you determine which
key points were missed by the students.

In today’s session, what was least clear to you?

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