PHAR133: Pharmacognosy Practical
Credits:
1
This course will introduce students to the structural and functional features of the light microscope and its
accessories. Students will use the microscope to examine unicellular products of pharmaceutical interest.
Cell contents to be examined will include: calcium oxalate, silica carbonate crystals, starch and aleurone
grains. Microscopic techniques will be applied using chemo-microscopic reagents to identify cell wall
constituents such as lignin, lipids, carbohydrates etc. Students will acquire practical skills in the
techniques of microscopical analysis, measurements in microscopy and in the preparation of permanent
microscope slide mounts. Students will be enabled to identify the descriptive features of plant parts.