Is coverslip needed after Gram stain? - (Aug/17/2005 )

After performing a Gram stain do you use a coverslip before looking under an oil immersion lens? (or put the oil directly on the stained cells?)
Thanks.

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I never used a coverslip. I always put the oil directly on top of the stain. I was also taught not to use a coversplit. the important thing is to make sure your bacteria are properly fixed because the oil will remove some bacteria as you move the objective.

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Don't use a coverslip, just place the oil directly onto the stained specimen. Then use the oil lens to view the cells

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You don't use the coverslip. The coverslip is NOT used. Besides, you really don't have to fix the bacteria. If you carry out negative staining, you don't fix the bacteria, but still they are observed under the microscope (oil immersion)

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I don't understand what you mean about not fixing the cells- I thought yu always had to do that. Also what do you mean by negastive staining? Thanks.

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Fixing ur smear is necessary, but a coverslip need not b used. In negative staining, we stain the background dark (with stains like India ink which do not stain the cells) against which the cell appear bright in a light microscope.

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when we teach students of first year, we say them not to use coverslips and to add immersion oil directly to the sample. but it's important that you fixed the sample properly

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You always fix the cells. Otherwise you have nothing to look at.

The coverslip is optional, but I prefer using it.

-Matt

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