How can I observe microscopic animals?
microscopic animals are fascinating in their diversity and are found all around us - in water, soil, food and on our body. Observation of microscopic animals involves knowing where to look for them and some magnification to see clearly. Usually a microscope is required, although in some cases the powerful lens can detect a lot. When using samples from different parts of the pond, the entire variety of microscopic inhabitants can be displayed. Microorganisms need a food source, so rather than open water, they are the best places where you can look at the bottom of the pond between gravel, mud and detritus such as crumbling leaves, and between vegetation such as water plants and eyelashes. It is good to take samples from sunny and shaded areas. To achieve unpleasant places is a useful glass or beaker attached to a long wand.
The very convenient way to observe microscopic animals at home or in the laboratory is the design of hay. A suitable container such as jam is filled with water with rA yard is added and a small amount of hay or dried grass is added. It is left to stand on the spot with a reasonable amount of daylight and in the coming days and weeks there will be a number of microorganisms. These can be observed by accepting small water samples using pipette and viewing the sample with a microscope. Samples from different places - near the surface, on the bottom and around the crumbling hay - reveal various organisms.
among many types of microscopic organisms that can be found in water with a pond or hay are protozoa, rotifers, daphnia and Tardigrades - also known as bears of water. Protozoa are unicellular organisms that usually cover freely; Strictly speaking, they are not classified as true, but are capable of independent movement and are often considered to be such. Rotifers, although mostly similar to protozoa, are multicellular animals and have a clearly visible internal structure. Tardigrady is found in almost every environment where water is present, although only occasionally and have four pairs of legsou. Daphnia or water flea are relatively complex water organisms, with visible internal organs, folded eyes and circulatory system.
other good sources of microscopic animals are soil and mosses. They contain many protozoa and rotifer, as well as non -atodes, tardigrady and small arthropods, such as mites, which, even if they are visible to the naked eye, require enlargement observed in detail. Even dried puddles and other seemingly unlikely places may have an interesting microscopic life. Many microorganisms can go to the sleeping state to survive inhospitable conditions, and again become active when the circumstances are more fabed. Often adding water - rainwater rather than water from the tap - to a dry sample and leave for several days to reveal many microscopic animals.
water samples and hay infusion should ideally be stored in an area with lots of daylight and oxygenated daily by bubbling air into them. If the water needs to be supplemented, it shoulduse rainwater or water with a pond. Water from the water supply usually contains traces of chlorine that can be harmful to microorganisms.
For viewing with a microscope, take a small sample with a pipette and place a drop on a microscope glass. Place the cover by sliding on it by lowering it at an angle to avoid the capture of the air bubbles. Microscopes will have three or four objective lenses that give different magnification, such as 30, 100, 200 and 400 times. It is best to start with the lowest enlargement and then approach the area of interest.
Larger microscopic animals, such as mites, can be best displayed on the lower magnatefications. Protozoa and Rotify can be seen in detail at 100-200 times. Since most of these microorganisms are transparent, it is best to see the internal details by adjusting the diaphragm on the microscope to maximize the contrast.