To prepare and examine a transverse section (T.S.) of a dicot stem

To prepare and examine a transverse section (T.S.) of a dicot stem:
• A thin section of a busy lizzy (herbaceous, non woody so easier to cut) was cut using a scalpel (cut away from the body). The busy lizzy stem was first placed in a hollowed out carrot to make the cutting safer. The section must be very thin to allow for light to pass through it so it can be observed under a microscope.
• The thin section is stored in water to prevent it drying out until it is ready to be observed.
• The thin section is placed on a slide and then observed under the microscope (microscope use method) before drawing a diagram.
Result: The vascular bundles are arranged in a ring therefore a busy lizzy is a dicot (two seed leaves).