I just captured a crazy moment under the microscope! This Paramecium couldn’t handle the pressure from the cover glass and popped open. You can actually see its cell contents spilling out. This was captured using Phase Contrast microscopy, so everything is in black and white. 20x Speed

A ciliate approaches from above and gently touches the Vorticella. In an instant, Vorticella retracts - so fast it looks like it vanishes! Vorticella grows on a stalk and pulls itself back to avoid danger. One of the fastest movements in nature!
Full video: youtu.be/afGTxOSYnzQ

Bacteria clustering around Closterium algae—They are attracted to the oxygen the algae produces via photosynthesis. A fascinating micro-interaction I found in a recent water sample.
#microscopy #microbiology #algae #bacteria #photosynthesis

What's this orange blob? I found this strange thing on a piece of old wood. It is a #fungus. Under the microscope you can see the #hyphae and the spores (Phase Contrast). Name of fungus: #Tremella (also known as Yellow Brain Fungus or Witch's butter).

How my #microscope table looks like. A small home lab. I am experimentimg with different staining techniques. Besides #iodine (on rice), I am also testing the red dye #Carmine, but so far with limited success. The specimens did not accept the Carmine, I still try to find the correct procedere.

Livestream: Cheap microscopes are a bit limited but...
youtube.com/live/91kWrDs...

Vitamin C crystals under the microscope, using polarized light.
#microscopy #polarization #crystal #science

Starch grains of a banana, stained with iodine.
#starch #banana #iodine

Here are some pictures of bacteria that I took using Phase Contrast microscopy. Although bacteria vary greatly in shape and appearance, they all share common features, such as the lack of a nucleus.

This shows a leaf skeleton of a maple tree. 4x objective.

Preparing these mushrooms for microscopy!

First post! Buttercup plant root. #microscope