Microscope Lab - Revised
Microscope Lab - Revised
Name : ____________________
_____ / 18 C Date : ____________________
OBSERVING CELLS- MICROSCOPY LAB
In this activity you will prepare and examine wet mounts of animal cells and plant cells in order
to observe the structural differences between the two types of cells. A wet mount is used to
observe living cells that are thin and transparent enough for light to pass through. A wet mouth
is prepared by placing the specimen on a microscope slide, adding a drop of water and covering
with a cover slip.
You will examine cells of plant and check cells. Since some
cells are colourless, you will need to stain them with a dye to
enhance their visibility.
MATERIALS:
Laboratory gloves Paper towels
2 microscope slides Compound light microscope
2 cover slips Toothpicks
1 dissecting needles iodine solution
Forceps Cotton swab
Dropper Small slice of onion
Transparent millimeter ruler
PROCEDURE:
PART 1: Examining Cheek Cells (Refer to the diagram below for the procedure)
1. Add one drop of iodine solution to one side of the cover slip.
2. Take a sterile cotton swab and move the swab over the inside of your cheek on one side
of your mouth and along the outer lower side of your gums. (Make sure you are wearing
gloves when swabbing cheek cells)
3. Prepare a wet mount. Lightly spread the swabbed material in a small drop of saline
solution placed at the center of the microscope slide.
4. Place a small piece of paper towel at the opposite side of the cover slip as shown in the
figure below. The absorbent paper will draw the due to the other edge of the cover slip,
washing over and staining the cells.
6. Sketch and label a diagram of two separate check cells on a separate sheet of white
paper. Calculate the total magnification of the image and the estimated cell diameter.
Include all of these values in your drawing and show calculations below. (2 A)
Calculations:
7. Cleaning Procedure: After the cells have been observed, immerse the slide and the
cover slip in a beaker of laboratory disinfectant, as directed by your teacher. Slides and
cover slips should be washed thoroughly, dried and reused according to your teacher’s
instructions.
PART 2: Examining Onion Cells (Refer to the diagram below for the procedure)
6. Sketch and label a diagram of a section of onion cells on a separate sheet of white
paper. Calculate the total magnification of the image and the estimated cell diameter.
Include all of these values in your drawing and show calculations below. (2 A)
Calculations:
ANALYSIS QUESTIONS:
Cheek Cells:
1. What is the purpose of adding iodine stain to the cheek cells? (1 A)
2. How did the size, shape & organization of the cheek cell compare to the onion cell? (2 A)
3. Name three organelles that were too small to see in these animal cells using the light
microscope. (3 A)
1. When Robert Hooke looked at cork under a microscope in 1663, he called each of the square
structures a cell because they reminded him of tiny rooms. Do your observations of onion
cells agree with his? Explain why or why not. (2 A)
1. Based on your sketches and observations, what are the structures that animal and plant
cells have in common? (3 A)
2. Based on your sketches and observations, what are the structures found only in plant cells?
(1 A)
3. What other structures can only be found in plant cells that were not visible under the
microscope? (2 A)