DESCRIPTION
This set of 5 prepared slides introduces your student to protozoa, paramecium, bacteria, ficus, and allium. Each slide is mounted on a standard 3" × 1" glass slide, hand-labeled, and permanently sealed for long-lasting clarity — ready to use with any standard compound microscope. Ideal for homeschool biology, middle-school life science, or introductory microscopy, these slides pair with recommended magnifications of 40×–400× to let students observe real cellular structures, single-celled organisms, and plant tissue — connecting textbook concepts to actual specimens. No preparation required.
MORE details
- Grade Level: Grades 5–12; homeschool and classroom use
- Recommended Magnification: 40×–400× (400× optimal for bacteria)
- Specimen Type: Permanently mounted, stained sections
- Curriculum Alignment: NGSS LS1-1, LS1-2; most state life science standards
- Best For: 1–4 students per set; classroom sets available
Each specimen is prepared using professional histological staining techniques. Protozoa and paramecium are whole-mount with hematoxylin-eosin stain; bacteria use a Gram/methylene blue smear; ficus leaf is a transverse section with safranin-fast green double stain; allium is a longitudinal epidermal peel with acetocarmine stain. With proper storage, these slides last 10+ years.
CONTENTS TAB
- Slide 1 — Protozoa (Amoeba proteus): whole mount showing pseudopods, nucleus, and cytoplasm
- Slide 2 — Paramecium (Paramecium caudatum): whole mount showing cilia, macronucleus, and oral groove
- Slide 3 — Bacteria (mixed morphology): smear mount with cocci and bacilli forms, stained for contrast
- Slide 4 — Ficus leaf (Ficus elastica, t.s.): transverse section showing epidermis, mesophyll layers, and vascular bundles
- Slide 5 — Allium (Allium cepa, l.s.): longitudinal section showing classic plant cell walls and clearly visible nuclei
All 5 slides arrive in a durable hinged plastic storage box with individual labeled compartments. Box dimensions: 4.5" × 2" × 0.75".
SPECIFICATIONS TAB
- Slide Count: 5 slides per set
- Slide Dimensions: 75 mm × 25 mm (3" × 1") standard
- Slide Thickness: 1.0–1.2 mm
- Cover Glass: 18 mm × 18 mm, #1 thickness (0.13–0.16 mm)
- Mounting Medium: Permanent resin; refractive index ≈1.52
- Recommended Magnification: 40×–400× compound microscope
- Microscope Compatibility: All standard compound microscopes with mechanical stage or spring-loaded clips
- Shelf Life: 10+ years with proper storage
- Storage Temperature: 60–75°F (15–24°C), away from direct sunlight
- Storage Box Included: Yes — hinged plastic 5-slide box
- Age Recommendation: 10+ (grades 5 and up)
- Weight (set + box): 95 g (3.4 oz)
Note: Requires a compound microscope. Not compatible with stereo/dissecting microscopes or handheld magnifiers. For bacteria, 400× dry objective is recommended for initial observation.
