The cell is the smallest structural unit of an organism that is capable of independent functioning.

The presence
of cells in living organisms differentiates them from nonliving things. The tiniest creature to the largest is all
made up of cells. Cells can be divided into two types based on their structure: Prokaryotic cell which came from
the words, pro = before and karyon = nucleus, and Eukaryotic cell which came from the words, eu = true and
karyon = nucleus. Furthermore, one of the postulates of cell theory states that “all living organisms are
composed of cells.” They occur singly as unicellular or as subunits of tissues or organs in multicellular
organisms. In both cases, the cell is considered the organism’s basic unit of structure and function. Any attempt
to study and understand the complexity and uniqueness of a living organism requires a complete
understanding of the cell’s basic structure and function.

Group Number Strand and Section

Group Members

I. OBJECTIVES
At the end of the activity the students will be able to:
1. Examine and differentiate plant, animal, and bacterial cell samples;
2. Locate and identify visible organelles in the examined cells;
3. Examine the prepared slides or specimens under the virtual microscope;
4. Identify if the specimen is a prokaryote or eukaryote;
5. Distinguish the common features and major differences between prokaryotic and
eukaryotic cells; and
6. Determine microorganisms involved in the fermentation process.

II. MATERIALS

1 compound microscope
Prepared plant cell specimen (onion skin)
Prepared animal cell specimen (human cheek cell)
Prepared bacterial cell specimen (Staphylococcus aureus)

III. PROCEDURE

1. Connect the light microscope to a power source. If your microscope uses a mirror instead of an
illuminator, you can skip this step. Instead, find a place where natural light is easily accessible
2. Turn the revolving nosepiece so the lowest objective lens is in position.
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 3. Mount your specimen onto the stage. But before doing so, see to it that your specimen is adequately
protected by placing a coverslip on top of it.
4. Use the metal clips to keep your slide in place. Make sure the specimen is positioned in the center,
right under the lowest objective lens.

5. Look into the eyepiece and slowly rotate the coarse adjustment knob to bring your specimen to
focus. See to it that the slide does not touch the lens.

6. Adjust the condenser for the maximum amount of light. Since you're on the low power objective,
you may have to decrease the illumination. Use the diaphragm under the stage to adjust.

7. Now slowly rotate the fine adjustment knob until you obtain a clearer image of your specimen.
8. Examine your specimen.
9. Sketch the image seen under the microscope and paste it on the designated box below.
10. After you're done viewing with the lowest power objective, switch to the medium power objective
and re-adjust the focus with the fine adjustment knob.

LOCATING CELLULAR STRUCTURES

Locate the following easily distinguishable plant cell structures.
a. Nucleus
When viewed under the microscope, it appears as a dark spot within the cell. It is usually the largest
in the cell that consists of three readily distinguishable parts. The nuclear envelope separates the
nuclear material from the cytoplasm. Inside the nuclear envelope, the nucleus contains a granular-
looking material called chromatin and a darker region called the nucleolus. It contains the cell
genetic material.
b. Cell membrane
It is the outer membrane of a cell, composed of a bilayer of phospholipids n which proteins are
embedded. Each cell is surrounded by a thin plasma membrane that acts as gatekeeper, allowing
only specific substances in or out and passing chemical messages from the external environment to
the cell’s interior.
c. Cytoplasm
The internal volume of the cell exclusive of the nucleus and is occupied by the organelles and by the
semifluid cytosol in which they are suspended.
d. Cell wall
The outer surface of a plant cell composed of cellulose and other polysaccharides. Walls are
produced by the cells they surround. Plant cells secrete cellulose through their plasma membrane.

IV. MICROGRAPHS SKETCH (5pts for each magnification)

Put an arrow and label the observed organelles in HPO(40x) Micrographs sketch of all the
specimens. CELL MEMBRANE, CYTOPLASM, and NUCLEUS, CELL WALL, VACUOLE.

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 A. PLANT CELL

Name of the specimen (1point):

LPO (10X) HPO (40X)

1. Is this a prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell? How do you know? (2pts)

B. ANIMAL CELL

Name of the specimen (1point):

LPO (10x) HPO (40x)

2. Is this a prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell? How do you know? (2pts)

C. BACTERIAL CELL
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Name of the specimen (1point):
LPO (10x) HPO (40x)

3. Is this a prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell? How do you know? (2pts)

4. What is unique about the DNA found in bacteria? (3pts)

V. ANALYSIS (15pts)

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 Create a Venn Diagram of plant and animal cells. Remember, things that they have in
common go into the overlapping area, and things that are different go into the non-overlapping
area.

PLANT CELL ANIMAL CELL

Reasoning and explanation rubric:

Each item records the average score based on the criteria listed below.

Criteria Rating

Scientific Claim 5pts 3pts

Assertion that something is true. Exemplary Satisfactory
Makes a claim that is sufficient to Makes a claim that is sufficient to
answer the question and is coherent. answer the question or is coherent.

Explanation 5pts 3pts

Describes how and why a phenomenon Exemplary Satisfactory
occurs Provides an explanation that addresses how Provides an explanation that addresses how
and why a phenomenon occurs or why a phenomenon occurs

NOTE: Please submit a hardcopy and handwritten worksheet.