To collect as much data as possible we worked with three different types of microscopes. With each of the microscopes, we photographed our sample flowers to observe the properties of the specific pollen species under various levels of magnification.
Plant Samples:
Leica Stereomicroscope
For this microscope, we took a sample plant and placed the flower on the transparent tray which was located underneath the microscope. From there, we focused the field of view of the microscope to the general area around the anthers of the flower so that we could find examples of the plant's pollen. The image that was seen from looking through the lenses of the Leica microscope was projected onto a laptop screen which helped our entire group see the sample at the same time. After reaching 35X zoom, we took a picture of our findings. After taking pictures at the standard zoom of 35X, we took some additional pictures at less magnification to see different views of the plant and its pollen.
Phenom Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)
The first step we accomplished while working with this microscope was preparing the stub that held the pollen from each species. This process was begun by creating fiduciary marks (tick marks - I, II, and III) to tell which pollen was which. Between I and II was Lilium (Lily), between II and III was Antirrhinum (Snapdragon), and finally between III and I was ocimum basilicum (Basil). To place the pollen samples in these areas of the stub, we used paintbrushes to brush off some of the pollen from each plant's anther and then pressed it against the sticky surface of the stub. Once the pollen was on, the final step of the preparation was to spray the stub with oxygen so that any loose pollen would fly off and the rest of it would be secured. Afterwards, we set up the SEM by placing our stub into the 'cup' and then inserting that into the machine itself. The next step was mapping out the field of view of our stub so we could determine which sample was which. We then zoomed in on a particular pollen sample and took a picture when we found a large group of the specimen. We also took a picture of each specimen at a common magnification of 2000X. Furthermore we measured the size of each individual grain of pollen in micrometers at this standard magnification. Once finished with this, we elected to zoom further in onto the surface of the pollen to get a better understanding of its structure. We documented our findings through photographs. The point of taking these pictures was to visualize the properties of the surface of the pollen and its general structure. With this information we would begin to formulate our analysis of how these plants are related.
Compound Microscope
To begin working with the compound microscope, we had to create sample slides of our plants. Since this is a light microscope, we used glass slides containing water. Before placing the attachable camera onto the eyepiece, we had to focus the field of view on low, medium and high power. Once we attached the camera, we were all able to view the image on the laptop screen. From there, our standard magnification was 400X which was the magnification that we took our pictures at. After obtaining our standard data, we photographed the pollen at different magnifications.
Plant Samples:
Leica Stereomicroscope
For this microscope, we took a sample plant and placed the flower on the transparent tray which was located underneath the microscope. From there, we focused the field of view of the microscope to the general area around the anthers of the flower so that we could find examples of the plant's pollen. The image that was seen from looking through the lenses of the Leica microscope was projected onto a laptop screen which helped our entire group see the sample at the same time. After reaching 35X zoom, we took a picture of our findings. After taking pictures at the standard zoom of 35X, we took some additional pictures at less magnification to see different views of the plant and its pollen.
Phenom Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)
The first step we accomplished while working with this microscope was preparing the stub that held the pollen from each species. This process was begun by creating fiduciary marks (tick marks - I, II, and III) to tell which pollen was which. Between I and II was Lilium (Lily), between II and III was Antirrhinum (Snapdragon), and finally between III and I was ocimum basilicum (Basil). To place the pollen samples in these areas of the stub, we used paintbrushes to brush off some of the pollen from each plant's anther and then pressed it against the sticky surface of the stub. Once the pollen was on, the final step of the preparation was to spray the stub with oxygen so that any loose pollen would fly off and the rest of it would be secured. Afterwards, we set up the SEM by placing our stub into the 'cup' and then inserting that into the machine itself. The next step was mapping out the field of view of our stub so we could determine which sample was which. We then zoomed in on a particular pollen sample and took a picture when we found a large group of the specimen. We also took a picture of each specimen at a common magnification of 2000X. Furthermore we measured the size of each individual grain of pollen in micrometers at this standard magnification. Once finished with this, we elected to zoom further in onto the surface of the pollen to get a better understanding of its structure. We documented our findings through photographs. The point of taking these pictures was to visualize the properties of the surface of the pollen and its general structure. With this information we would begin to formulate our analysis of how these plants are related.
Compound Microscope
To begin working with the compound microscope, we had to create sample slides of our plants. Since this is a light microscope, we used glass slides containing water. Before placing the attachable camera onto the eyepiece, we had to focus the field of view on low, medium and high power. Once we attached the camera, we were all able to view the image on the laptop screen. From there, our standard magnification was 400X which was the magnification that we took our pictures at. After obtaining our standard data, we photographed the pollen at different magnifications.
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