Download Comparing Plant and Animal Cells

Name______________________________
Period____
Date _________
Comparing Plant and Animal Cells
Investigating Structure
A cell’s structures affect how it responds to change in its environment. In this investigation,
you will observe the differences between plant and animal cells. You will then make a slide of
your own cheek cells.
Materials
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forceps
piece of onion
scissors
4 glass slides
Dropper pipette
4 cover slips
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Paper towel
Microscope
Prepared slide of animal cells
Toothpicks
Iodine
Paper towels
Procedure
Part A: Plant and Animal Cell Structures
1) Using forceps, peel a thin layer from the inner surface of a piece of onion.
2) Use scissors to cut a small piece out of the layer you removed.
3) Place the piece of lettuce in the center of a glass slide. Add a drop of water to the piece
of onion and cover it with a cover slip.
4) Examine your slide under the low-power objective of the microscope. In the space
provided, sketch one cell and label any structures you recognize.
5) Carefully switch to high power and observe the cell again. Try to identify any cell
structures, and add them to your sketch with appropriate labels.
6) Repeat steps 4 and 5 using prepared slides of animal cells. Use the space provided for
your sketch.
Onion Cells
Low Power
High Power
Animal Cells
Low Power
High Power
Part B: Cheek Cells
1) Clean your onion slide and get a toothpick from Ms. Humphrey’s desk.
2) Rub the toothpick in the center of a glass slide.
3) Raise your hand for Ms. Humphrey to come by and put a drop of iodine onto your
slide. Place a cover slip onto the drop of iodine.
4) Examine the slide under the low-power objective of the microscope. In the space
provided, sketch one cell and label any structures you recognize.
5) Carefully switch to high power and observe the cell again. Try to identify any cell
structures, and add them to your sketch with appropriate labels.
Cheek Cells
Low Power
High Power
Part C. Clean Up
1) Carefully unplug your microscope and place it in the cart.
2) Using a paper towel, wipe both the slide and cover slip and place them in the correct
containers.
3) Place the animal tissue slide in the appropriate containers.
4) Wipe down your lab area with a paper towel.
Analyze and Conclude
1) Describe the general shape of the onion cells and the animal cells you observed in Part
A.
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2) What structures did you see in the onion and animal cells?
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3) What are their functions?
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4) How are plant and animal cells similar in structure?
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5) How are plant and animal cells different?
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6) Describe the general shape of the cheek cells. Were you able to see any structures?
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7) How could you tell your cheek cells were animal? Why?
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8) Where the cells in the red unknown plant or animal? Why?
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