Describe what would be seen under a brightfield vs darkfield

Describe what would be seen under a brightfield vs darkfield microscope viewing a spanish moss scales as the specimen. What are some of the characteristics and descriptions of the spanish moss scales.

Solution

The spanish moss is neither a lichen or a moss. Under a bright field microscope, after staining, we would be able to see the internal structures of the organelles and other compartments of the specimen which has taken up the stain. In the dark field microscope, the specimen is brightly lit against a contrasting dark background. Dark microscopy would illuminate the external details more, like the cell boundaries and the organelle boundaries.

The scales present on the leaves of the spanish moss are used to absorb water and minerals, they do not use roots. The scales have an umbrella shaped structure. The cells that make each scale, are fused towards the centre and separate at the margins. the scale is attached to the epidermis at its centre. Since a lot of scales are placed next to each other , it gives the spanish moss a silvery appearance. Each scale has four centrally placed absorbing cells.