Microhistology of Plant Material Using Low-Cost Materials for Polarized Light Microscopy
THE MICROSCOPE
2014, Volume 62:3, pp. 117–121
DOI
https://doi.org/10.59082/JCBO5735
AUTHORS
John J. Henderson, Gary Phillips and Joseph T. Springer
ABSTRACT
Microhistology is the term commonly given to the microscopic study of animal feces. A microscopic study of feces is completed to determine the diet of carnivores or herbivores and to observe parasites that have passed the digestive system. Cellular fragments, such as cellular structures (stomata, cells, tracheae, etc.) and epidermal surface attachments (trichomes, scales, glands, etc.), are commonly viewed with traditional brightfield microscopy. Crystal and non-crystal inclusions (silica, calcium compounds, starch, etc.), along with some biological materials (starch, tracheids, etc.) are enhanced with the use of polarized light. However, polarized light microscopy (PLM) is seldom used in biological laboratories. Luckily, simple and inexpensive attachments can be used for basic polarized light to enhance microhistological fragments for better identification.