Download Plant and Animal Cells

Plant and Animal Cells
(Teacher Handout)
Standard-Objective-Eligible Content: I-c; V-1, c (See pages B-2 - B-10.)
Lab Time: 50 minutes
Background: See student handout.
Materials: See student handout.
Pre-Activity:
Prior to the lab, discuss the importance of the microscope to biology and the reasons it is such an
indispensable instrument in the study of life. Students should have a previous lab in which they
have had the opportunity to use a microscope.
Post-Activity:
Have students discuss the differences in the two plant cells and the ways they compare to the
animal cells.
Student Questions and Answers:
1. Is there a single layer of cells or many layers in the Callisia elegans slide? Many layers
2. What geometric figure best describes the shape of a Callisia elegans? Hexagon (shape of
a stop sign)
3. What occupies the center of the cell? Cytoplasm
4. Where is the cell membrane located? Outer edge
5. What occupies the greatest volume in the onion epidermal cell? Cytoplasm
6. Compare green and nongreen plant cells with animal cells by placing checks in the spaces
below to indicate the presence of the cellular components.
Cell Components
Cell Wall
Nucleus
Large Central Vacuole
Cell Membrane
Cytoplasm
Chloroplast
Green Plant Cells
X
X
X
X
X
X
Nongreen Plant
Cells
X
X
X
X
X
X
Animal Cells
X
X
X
7. What three components listed in Question 6 are present in both plant and animal cells?
Nucleus, cell membrane and cytoplasm
8. What cytoplasmic component is found only in green plant cells? Chloroplast
9. What three structures distinguish plant cells from animal cells? Large central vacuole,
cell wall, chloroplast
10. State the cell theory. All living things are composed of one or more cells or cell
fragments. The cell is the basic unit of structure and function in living things. All cells are
produced from other living cells.
11. Place the letter of the correct response in the space provided.
e
Cell wall
a. contain chlorophyll
f
Cytoplasm
b controls entrance and exit of substances to and from the cell
b
Cell membrane
c. fluid-filled cavity in plant cells
c
Central vacuole
d. control center of the cell
a
Chloroplasts
e. rigid, nonliving structure giving support to plant cells
d
Nucleus
f. the gelatin-like substance that surrounds the organelles
12. Define tissue, organ, organ system.
tissue - group of cells with a common structure and function
organ - collection of tissues that work together to perform a particular function
organ system - group of organs that function together to carry out a major activity of the
body
Extensions:
The student could construct a model of either a plant or animal cell. The class could be divided
so that some of the class would make plant cells and others make animal cells. This could be
done as an edible lab with students using rectangle cakes to represent plant cells and a round
cake to represent animal cells. Students would use various edible items to represent the
organelles. This is best done with the cakes prepared in advance. Students can write a key card
showing what item represents which organelles. Examples for organelles are candy or fruit.
Simulated cells could be constructed using paper plates as the cell and pasta and/or dried
vegetables representing organelles.
Reading Comprehension Connection: I-2 and 3; II-2 and 3 (See page B-11.)
Resources:
Books:
Miller, Kenneth R. and Joseph Levine. Biology. Prentice Hall. 1993. pp. 89-98.
Morrison, Earl S. and Alan Moore. Science Plus Level Green. Holt, Rinehart and Winston,
1997. pp. 116-119.
Towle, Albert. Modern Biology. Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1993. p. 77.
Plant and Animal Cells
(Student Handout)
Purpose: To identify and define similarities and differences between plant and animal cells
Materials/Equipment:
Pipette
Water
Glass slide
Coverslip
Onion root tip slide
Forceps
Microscope
Lens paper
Flat toothpicks
Methyl blue stain - 10%
Typical plant cell slide
Safety Considerations: Always follow lab safety procedures.
Procedure (each student should sketch on their own sheet of paper):
Part A - Examining Plant Cells
1. Using both hands, carefully handle the microscope, and place on a flat surface (one per
table).
2. Clean the eyepiece and objective lens with lens paper (if necessary).
3. One person from each table get an onion root tip slide from the teacher.
6. Using the low power, locate the specimen on the slide. Focus and sketch an onion cell.
7. Switch to high power and compare with the low-power sketch.
8. Redraw and label the parts that are listed in the cell components’ chart.
9. Repeat the procedure using a slide from the teacher labeled the typical plant cell.
10. Note the difference in the cell wall shape.
11. Identify the structures found in the living cell, i.e., different colors of chloroplast. Note
the stomata (the lip-like structures).
12. Sketch and label typical plant cell. Record the magnification of the microscope at the
power used for the sketch.
Part B - Examining Animal Cells
1. Place a drop of methyl blue stain in the center of a clean slide.
2. Using the flat end of a toothpick, gently scrape the inside of your cheek. (Figure 1)
3. Stir the toothpick around in the drop of stain. Dispose of the toothpick. (Figure 2)
4. Cover the slide with a coverslip.
5. Using the low-power objective lens, locate a few cheek cells. (You may need to reduce
the amount of light to be able to view the cells.)
6. Switch to high-power. Observe the cheek cells and sketch. Record the power of
magnification.
7. Carefully clean and dry the slides and coverslips.
Questions (each person should answer each question on a separate sheet of paper for their
lab grade):
1. Is there a single layer of cells or many layers in the typical plant cell slide?
2. What geometric figure best describes the shape of a typical plant cell?
3. What occupies the center of the cell?
4. Where is the cell membrane located?
5. What occupies the greatest volume in the onion root tip cell?
6. Compare green and nongreen plant cells with animal cells by placing checks in the spaces
below to indicate the presence of the cellular components.
Cell Components
Green Plant Cells
Nongreen Plant
Cells
Animal Cells
Cell Wall
Nucleus
Central Vacuole
Cell Membrane
Cytoplasm
Chloroplast
7. What three components listed in Question 6 are present in both plant and animal cells?
8. What cytoplasmic component is found only in green plant cells?
9. What three structures distinguish plant cells from animal cells?
10. State the cell theory.
11. Place the letter of the correct response in the space provided.
Cell wall
a. contain chlorophyll
Cytoplasm
b controls entrance and exit of substances to and from the cell
Cell membrane
c. fluid-filled cavity in plant cells
Central vacuole
d. control center of the cell
Chloroplasts
e. rigid, nonliving structure giving support to plant cells
Nucleus
f. the gelatin-like substance that surrounds the organelles
12. Define tissue, organ, organ system.