The Microscopic Examination of Bacteria
Prior to viewing bacteria, two procedures must be performed: 1) fixation and 2) staining. Fixation performs 2 functions: (i) immobilises (kills) the bacteria; and (ii) affixes them to the slide. The most common fixation procedure for bacteria is heat fixation, whereby the slide containing a drop or smear of bacterial culture is passed rapidly once or twice through the heat of a Bunsen flame.
