Lesson 4 of 9

Making a slide

Goal: Describe how to prepare a slide of cells.

Puzzles for this lesson

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To look at cells, you first make a slide.

Peel a thin layer of onion skin.
Lay it flat in a drop of water on a slide.
Add a drop of iodine stain.
Lower a coverslip slowly, at an angle.
  • Thin layer: light has to shine through it.
  • Stain: makes the cell parts show up.
  • Slowly, at an angle: stops air bubbles getting trapped.

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Key words in this lesson

Cell Smallest building block of a living thing

Stain Dye that makes cell parts show up

For teachers: AQA 3.8.2