Light microscopy
Light microscopy is a technique used to examine the structure of wood samples.
Common techniques for preparing wood specimens for light microscopy:
- Polishing: One technique involves polishing the surfaces of epoxy-embedded cambial tissue or coal samples followed by SEM or high-resolution fluorescence microscopy.
- Swelling: Another technique involves swelling the wood samples in a mixture of glycerine-water to soften the wood.
Benefits of using light microscopy to study wood samples:
- Visualization of wood structure: Light microscopy allows researchers to visualize the structure of wood at a microscopic level. This can provide insights into the properties of the wood and how it can be used in various applications.
- Identification of wood species: The staining process used in light microscopy provides strong contrast among the various cell types and/or cell components, which can help identify wood species.
- Cost-effective sample preparation
Routine techniques for preparing wood specimens for light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy
- Fixation: The first step in preparing wood specimens for light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy is fixation. This involves treating the wood samples with a fixative solution to preserve the structure of the cells.
- Dehydration: After fixation, the wood samples are dehydrated using a series of alcohol solutions of increasing concentration. This process removes the water from the cells and prepares the samples for embedding.
- Embedding: The dehydrated wood samples are embedded in a resin or plastic material to provide support for the samples during sectioning.
- Sectioning: The embedded wood samples are cut into thin sections using a microtome. The sections are then mounted on glass slides for observation.
- Staining: The sections are stained to provide strong contrast among the various cell types and/or cell components. This helps to identify wood species and provides a detailed view of the wood structure.
To practise Light microscopy use Labster
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