Figure 2. Removing the brain from the cuticle.

A. With the caudal cuticle face-up, use Needle 1 to pin down the underhanging tab of the rostral cuticle. Use the backside of Needle 2 to open the caudal cuticle like a book. B. Still pinning the inner surface of the rostral cuticle with Needle 1, use the backside of Needle 2 to push the brain out of the head cuticle. C. Clear off connective tissue to end with a clean and intact Drosophila brain. Clean brain imaged with a compound microscope with the rostral side up. Under a dissecting microscope, the brain will look milky gray with bright white connective tissue.