Hanging Drop

Hanging drop is a preparation for microscopy of living microorganisms. It consists of a drop of microbial suspension placed on the bottom surface of the coverslip, which is located above the recess of the slide (chamber or well).

Hanging drop allows observation of living microorganisms in their natural environment. This preparation is a very important tool for the study of microbiology and can be used in various fields such as medicine, food industry, ecology, etc.

To make a hanging drop, place a drop of a suspension of microorganisms on a coverslip and place it over a depression in the slide. The drop is then covered with a coverslip and secured with glue or a clamp. After this, the drug is ready for use.

Hanging drops can be used to monitor various microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, viruses and others. They make it possible to study the morphology, physics and biochemistry of microorganisms in their natural conditions. In addition, this drug can be used to study the interaction of microorganisms with the environment, which is important for understanding the processes occurring in nature and in human life.

Thus, the hanging drop is an important tool for microscopic studies of living microorganisms and can be useful in various scientific and practical fields.

**A hanging cup is a preparation for microscopying living microbial cells, and the preparation is divided into drops that are placed on the bottom of the chamber.**

The capillary force of evaporation between the cells and the glass slide creates a curtain, thanks to which the drops do not stick together into a dense mass. Thanks to this, preparations can be examined under a microscope during various phases of the life activity of bacteria or other microorganisms.

The slide initially contains suspended cells, but must be sedimented before viewing on a slide. To do this, the drug is heated to 56–58 °C for 5–10 minutes. At room temperature, a drop of the drug is applied to a cover glass; The substance is rubbed with a glass rod or finger. The preparation is cooled, and a film of paraffin appears, which looks like “milk”. Then the drug is heated again in a water bath in hot isopropanol at 40–45 ° C or in alcohol with glycerin until the isopropanol and glycerin are completely evaporated. The drug is ready for use.

The drug may cause allergic reactions if you are hypersensitive to one of the components of the drug. Reactions can range from a mild rash or itchy skin to severe anaphylactic reactions. If a reaction occurs, the drug should not be used. When storing the drug, it is prohibited to expose the drug to direct sunlight and temperatures above 25°C; storage of the drug is possible at temperatures of +4-5-10°C. The drug may only be used if its shelf life is sufficient for its use.