Wet mount

Wet Mount

A wet mount is a technique used in microscopy to observe living organisms and cells in a liquid medium. This method involves placing a specimen in a drop of liquid on a microscope slide and covering it with a cover slip. Wet mounts are commonly used in biological and medical laboratories to study the morphology, behavior, and motility of microorganisms, cells, and tissues.

Preparation of a Wet Mount

The preparation of a wet mount involves several steps:

1. Gather Materials: You will need a clean microscope slide, a cover slip, a dropper, and the specimen to be observed. The liquid medium can be water, saline, or a specific staining solution depending on the specimen.

2. Place the Specimen: Using a dropper, place a small drop of liquid on the center of the slide. If the specimen is solid, such as a piece of tissue, it should be thinly sliced or minced to allow light to pass through.

3. Add the Specimen: Introduce the specimen into the drop of liquid. Ensure that the specimen is fully immersed in the liquid to prevent air bubbles.

4. Apply the Cover Slip: Carefully place a cover slip over the drop. To avoid trapping air bubbles, lower the cover slip at an angle.

5. Remove Excess Liquid: If necessary, use a piece of absorbent paper to remove any excess liquid that may have seeped out from under the cover slip.

Advantages of Wet Mounts

- Observation of Living Organisms: Wet mounts allow for the observation of living organisms in their natural state, providing insights into their behavior and motility. - Quick and Simple: The preparation of a wet mount is quick and requires minimal equipment. - Minimal Distortion: Unlike fixed and stained slides, wet mounts do not alter the natural state of the specimen.

Disadvantages of Wet Mounts

- Limited Longevity: Wet mounts are temporary and must be observed quickly before the liquid evaporates or the specimen deteriorates. - Limited Contrast: Without staining, some specimens may lack contrast, making them difficult to observe. - Risk of Contamination: The open nature of wet mounts can lead to contamination if not handled properly.

Applications in Medicine

In medical laboratories, wet mounts are used for:

- Urinalysis: To observe cells, crystals, and microorganisms in urine samples. - Vaginal Smears: To detect infections such as bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniasis. - Parasitology: To identify parasites in stool samples.

Also see

- Microscopy - Staining (biology) - Phase contrast microscopy - Bright-field microscopy