EXCALIBUR ET412 Einstein Mega Screen Microscope Hatchery Instructions - Manual

The hatchery is for culturing or growing
micro-organisms, like protozoa, to be
studied under the microscope.
Some extra material is needed to grow
protozoa. These items may be purchased
from a science supply store.
• Vial of protozoa dry culture mix
• Wheat grains (protozoan food)
H
ATCHING
I
NSTRUCTIONS
1. Fill the hatchery with spring or natural
bottled water and add the contents of
the dry protozoan culture. Do not stir
or shake the hatchery once the mix has
been added.
2. The protozoan culture vial includes
2-3 grains of wheat. Make sure the
wheat grains are included in the
hatchery to provide food for the
protists.
3. Place the culture in a place where the
temperature stays a fairly constant
65ºF - 75°F (18-24°C) and the light
is not bright. Do not place near a
window, heater, refrigerator, stove, or
any place where temperature changes
occur.
4. Fill a glass or jar with bottled water
and keep it nearby so you can replace
evaporated water in your culture if
necessary.
5. Do not cover the culture as this will
upset the air directly above the water.
Protozoa are living organisms and
need oxygen.
O
BSERVATION
I
NSTRUCTIONS
1. Protists will usually begin to appear
after 24 hours. Each day, use the pipet
to take a sample of the water near the
material fl oating on the surface. Place
1-2 drops on a plain microscope slide.
Gently place a cover-slip over the
water drop.
2. Examine the slide with your
microscope starting at 30x. Most
protist have little color and are very
diffi cult to see. It will take patience
to adjust the focus of the microscope.
Initially you will see very tiny dots
moving around on the slide. Some
move very rapidly, others more
slowly. Some will be round in shape,
others more oblong. Once you fi nd an
area of protist activity on the slide,
turn the magnifi cation up to 80x or
even 400x to see them better.
U
SING THE
H
ATCHERY