Download Lab: Cell Variation

Biology
Lab
Name___________________
Date__________Hour______
Cell Variation
Introduction:
For approximately 150 years biologists have recognized a cell as the basic unit of life. A cell is
composed of many smaller parts, called organelles. Each organelle has a specific function and
contributes to the overall well being of a cell. Although a variety of cells exist, they frequently share
many of the same organelles. Learning about the basic structure of cells is necessary in order to
understand life processes of both simple and complex forms of life.
Objectives: Upon completion of this lab, students should be able to…
 Prepare a wet mount slide
 Identify some of the basic cell structures found in plant and animal cells
 Relate the shape of the cell to the function it plays in the organism.
Directions:
Once you understand how to use a microscope, look at 4 types of cells (potato, tomato, animal
skin and plant leaves). Follow the directions at each station and create a wet mount slide of each
type of cell. You must wear goggles when preparing the slides. Then take the slide back to your
table and look at the specimen using a microscope. You may remove your goggles when you are
sitting at your table looking at the slides. Use medium or high power for your drawing.
Drawings:
Draw each of the 4 types of cells. For each cell type include:
 A detailed colored picture of the specimen
 The name of the specimen
 The total magnification of the specimen (Total magnification = objective X eyepiece)
 Label one individual cell
 Label the cell membrane and/or cell wall.
Post- Lab Questions: On a separate sheet of paper answer the following questions in complete
sentences.
1. Describe how to focus a microscope. Identify some problems you may have encountered
while viewing your slides.
2. Describe the shape of each of the cells.
3. Why do you think each cell has a particular shape?
4. Explain how the cells you looked at are alike.
5. Explain how the cells you looked at are different.
6. Every cell has a particular job or function. For each of the four types of cells you looked at in
this lab, predict the function of each cell.
7. Describe how to shut down the microscope and return the microscope to its proper location.