Microscopy Demo

The group went into Dr. Caprette’s lab. Here we looked at microscopic specimens. The students examined pond water and a culture of protist. I learned a new technique to use in class. Yeast can be grown and then treated with Congo red. Once the dye has been incorporated into the yeast it can be heat treated and stored. The yeast can be feed to a live culture of protist. The protist will then digest the yeast, and while looking through a microscope the students can see a color change occur. The yeast changes from red to purple when digested.