AN EFFICIENT METHOD OF SLIDE PREPARATION FOR STUDY OF BREAD MOULD ACROSS SCHOOL CURRICULUM

Abstract

This paper systematically describes a simple technique for slide preparation. For slide preparation, a moist chamber is developed and a slide is kept inside it. Instead of fungal media, a tiny piece of bread has been suggested in the technique to be kept on the slide. Bread serves as media in this technique for fungal growth. The moist chamber is placed at room temperature ranging from 28–32oC for 5 to 6 hours per day with high humidity of rainy season. The growth emerging from the substrate (bread piece) is observed under the microscope. The technique is useful for students, from school to college level, for studying fungal morphology. This is an experiential learning activity that helps develop skills and several competencies such as slide preparation, microscope handling, the ability to differentiate and classify fungi on the basis of microscopic study. The students also develop competencies to record and report the observation and take part in the discussion for achieving these learning outcomes.