Download Animal vs Plant cells - Mater Academy Lakes High School

Studying Animal Cells and Plant Cells
MATERIALS
SKILLS
• Using a compound microscope
· Drawing
OBJECTIVES
· Identify the structures you can see in animal cells
and plant cells.
• Compare and contrast the structure of animal cells
and plant cells.
 compound light microscope
prepared slide of human epithelial cells from the lining
of the mouth
 elodea plants
 forceps
 microscope slides and cover slips dropper bottle of
stain solution
Before You Begin
You can see many cell parts with a light microscope. In animal cells, the cytoplasm, cell membrane, nucleus, nucleolus, and vacuoles can
be seen. In plants cells, the cell wall and chloroplasts can also be seen. Stains add color to cell parts and make them more visible with
a light microscope. A stain can even make the endoplasmic reticulum visible. In this lab, you will use a light microscope to examine
animal and plant cells.
1. Why might a stain be needed to see cell parts under a microscope?
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2. Based on the objectives for this lab, write a question to explore about cell structure.
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PROCEDURE
PART A: PLANT CELLS
1. Make a slide of elodea plant using just one leaf. Look at the elodea plant leaf under low power with a compound
microscope. Find cells that are separate from each other, and place them in the center of the field of view. Switch
to high power, and adjust the diaphragm until you can see the cells more clearly. Identify as many cell parts as you
can.
***Note: Remember to use only the fine adjustment to focus at high power. ***
2. Draw a Plant cell. Label the cell wall and a chloroplast, as well as the central vacuole, the nucleus, and the cell
membrane if they are visible.
3. If you see movement it is called cytoplasmic streaming.
PART B: ANIMAL CELLS
1. Using a toothpick, carefully scrape/remove a small sample of cheek cells. Smear the toothpick on the slide
and add a drop of water on the slide. Then add a cover slip.
2. Add Methyl Blue solution as a stain. Promptly wash off spills to minimize staining. Observe these cells under
low and high power.
3. Draw two or three epithelial cells as they look under high power. Label the cell membrane, the cytoplasm,
the nuclear envelope, and the nucleus of at least one of the cells. Make a second drawing of these cells as you
imagine they might look in the lining of your mouth in this circle.
PART C: CLEANUP AND DISPOSAL
1. Dispose of solutions, broken glass, etc. in the waste containers designated by your teacher. Do not pour chemicals down the drain or
put lab materials in the trash unless your teacher tells you to do so.
2. Clean up your work area and all lab equipment. Return lab equipment to its proper place. Wash your hands thoroughly before you leave
the lab and after you finish all work.
Studying Animal Cells and Plant Cells (Analysis & Drawings)
Plant Cell- Elodea (High Power)
Epithelial cells- CHEEK (High Power)
Plant Cell- Elodea (Low Power)
Epithelial cells- CHEEK (Low Power)
Analyze and Conclude
1.
Recognizing Patterns In what observable ways are animal and plant cells similar in structure and in what
observable ways are they different?
2. Comparing Structures Compare and contrast the cytoplasm of epithelial cells and elodea cells.
3. Analyzing Methods What is the reason for staining cheek cells?
4. Inferring Conclusions Why are the chloroplasts hanging out around the edges of the elodea cells?
5. Inferring Conclusions If some of the epithelial cells (cheek) were folded over on themselves but were still
transparent, what could you conclude about their thickness?
6. Further Inquiry Write a question about cell structure that could be explored in a later investigation.