As you observe these different cocci, keep in mind that the procedures used in slide preparation may cause some arrangements to break apart or clump together . The correct form, however, should predominate. Also remember that each coccus in an arrangement represents a complete, single, one-celled organism. Small bacilli or bacilli that have just divided by binary fission may at first glance be confused for cocci so they must be observed carefully . You will, however, be able to see bacilli that have not divided and are definitely rod-shaped as well as bacilli in the process of dividing.
Yeasts commonly reproduce asexually by a process called budding .
Unlike bacteria, which are prokaryotic, yeast are eukaryotic . For a review of prokaryotic versus eukaryotic cellular characteristics, see section U1IB in your Lecture Guide . The approximate size of a microorganism can be determined using an ocular micrometer , an eyepiece that contains a scale which will appear superimposed upon the focused specimen. Before you plug in the microscope, turn the voltage control dial on the right side of the base of the microscope to 1 . Now plug in the microscope and turn it on.