Microscopy, Staining and Laboratory Techniques

What the resources cover

The page follows a typical microbiology lab course. Microscopy comes first: bright field, dark field, phase contrast, fluorescence and electron microscopes appear in the flashcards on microscopy and cell morphology, and in mind maps on microscopy techniques. Staining follows, with mind maps on Gram staining, differential stains and the Schaeffer-Fulton stain, plus notes on preparing a smear and simple stain.

Then come culture media and biochemical tests. Mind maps such as Types of Media and Agar sit alongside the Culture Media quiz, which asks which medium is most enriched and which dyes are used in Gram staining. Flashcards such as Micro Lab Quiz 8 cover blood hemolysis and phenylalanine deaminase.

Where to start

1. Begin with a mind map such as Microscopy and Staining to see the whole picture.
2. Move to flashcards like Lab 2 microscopes and simple staining and Lab 1 Aseptic Technique for the basic procedures.
3. Try the Culture Media quiz and the Microbiology Lab Practical Staining quiz to test yourself.
4. Finish with practical-style decks such as Lab Midterm Practical, which covers blood agar and bile esculin tests.

Using quizzes and maps together

Read a map first, then take a quiz on the same topic. Note the questions you miss and go back to the matching branch of the map. Flashcards then help you fix the details, such as media, indicators and expected results. Teachers can pick a quiz or map to set alongside a practical session.

Where this unit sits

This unit belongs to the Foundations of Microbiology strand in Microbiology and immunology. The lab skills here, seeing, staining and growing microorganisms, support the rest of the strand.

Choose a resource that matches your next practical and open it. When you are ready, build a set of your own.