#SPORE MICROSCOPE SKIN#

This type of mold may start off as white hair-like structures and eventually will form solid black spots. Rhizopus feeds on starch or sugar, making it a common mold on bread. By looking at the hyphae under a microscope, you will be able to identify what kind of mold it is. The hyphae may look soft and fuzzy, or it could be very colorful. These form a mold colony which was started by a single mold spore. The colorful growth on the bread is made of connected thread structures called hyphae. Mold is certainly a nuisance on food, but some antibiotics have been made from mold similar to the kind you grew. Mushrooms are actually a type of edible fungi. View the slide with a compound microscope, starting with a low objective.ĭid you know molds are actually fungi? Fungi are found in all sorts of environments, and some are helpful, while others can be harmful. Use the corner of a paper towel to blot up any excess water at the edges of the cover slip.ĥ. Take the cover slip and set it at an angle to the slide so that one edge of it touches the water drop, then carefully lower it over the drop so that the cover slip covers the specimen without trapping air bubbles underneath.Ĥ. Using a toothpick, scrape some of the mold off, and place it on the drop of water.ģ.

You can use solution of methylene blue instead, which is a microscope stain, and makes the sample easier to see by coloring certain parts of the mold cells.Ģ. Place a drop of water in the center of the slide, using an eyedropper if you have one, or the tip of a clean finger. Mold is an allergen and can be toxic. Working with mold as you are in the experiment typically only affects the very young or very old, or those with severe immune problems, but it is important to take precautionary measures (such as gloves) and to not do this project if you have allergies or asthma.

#SPORE MICROSCOPE SKIN#

Safety Note: When handling mold, it is very important to cover as much skin as you can, and to wear gloves. You will need a sample that is about one inch across. When sufficient mold has formed, you can prepare a slide and examine it under the microscope ( student microscopes work well for this). If you touch the bread, be sure to thoroughly wash your hands afterwards. Avoid opening the plastic bag as much as you can. Mold should start forming in 2-3 days, but will take a week or more to get a good sample.Ĭheck on the piece of bread every few days, and add more water if it is becoming dried out. Mold will grow best in a moist environment. Or you could place it next to a window, with a bowl or plate covering it from the light. A kitchen cupboard close to the stove may be one option. Place the bag in a dark, warm place, away from other food items. Place the bread in a ziplock bag, and sprinkle water over it so it is damp. Leave the bread in the open for about an hour so it is exposed to contaminants in the air. Bread with preservatives in it will take much longer to form mold. Any preservative-free bread that is soft will work well. The easiest way to grow mold is on a piece of bread. Please note: we do not recommend this project for those with allergies to mold (including penicillin) or with severe asthma.

Spore microscope