Download Exploring a Plant Cell

Name:_____________________________ Block:_________________
Date:__________
Online Microscope Lab: Comparing Different Cell Types
Introduction:
Viewing cells under a light microscope allows a scientist to some, but not all of the
different cell parts. Larger structures, such as the nucleus, cell wall, and cell membrane
can be seen when viewing a properly stained eukaryotic cell. Most prokaryotic cells
are too small to view any cell parts with the light microscope. In this activity you will
compare the sizes of plant, animal, and bacteria cells and view some of the structures
they contain.
Objectives:
 To explore the differences between plant, animal, protist and bacteria cells.
Materials:
 Internet access
 Images of Fern Prothalium, Human Cheek Cell, Bacillus, Amoeba Proteus under
high power (400x) – Try googling the name of the cell with 400x.
Part A. Fern Cell
1. Find a Fern prothalium slide image under high magnification (400x). Try:
http://www.3dham.com/vegetable/FernPorthallia.html
A. Sketch what you see under high power in circle to the right.
How many cells do you see across the diameter of
this field of view? ____________________
If the diameter of the field of view on high power
is 400 micrometers (µm), approximately what
size (in µm) is one cell? _____________________
B. Label the visible cell parts on your diagram. (There should be at least 6.)
C. Record organelles visible in chart on last page.
Part B. Human Cheek Cell
1. Find an image of human cheek cells under high power (400x).
A. Using high power, draw and label a single animal cell,
labeling the cell structures (at least 4).
About how many cells can be seen across the
diameter of the field of view? ________________________
What is the size of an individual animal cell (µm)? __________________
B. Record the cells parts visible in chart.
1. Do these cells tend to have a typical shape? If so what shape? ____________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
2. Different types of cells in an animal’s body usually have shapes that suit their purpose.
Give an example of a cell type, describe its shape, and explain how that shape is
related to its function. _______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Part C. Bacterial Cell
1. Find an image of Bacillus under high magnification (400x).
A. Under high power, draw your field of view.
How many bacteria cells can be found
across the diameter of the field of view? _____________
What size is an individual bacteria cell in µm? _____________
B. Label the cell structures in the diagram. There are 2.
C. Record the visible cell parts in chart.
Part D. Amoeba Cell
1. Find an image of an Amoeba proteus under high magnification (400x).
A. Under high power, draw your field of view.
How many amoeba cells can be found
across the diameter of the field of view? ______________
What size is an individual amoeba cell in µm? _____________
B. Label the cell structures in the diagram. There are at least 5.
C. Record the visible cell parts in chart.
Cell Parts Chart:
Fern
General
Animal
Bacteria
Amoeba
Cell
membrane
Cell wall
Cytoplasm
Nucleus
Nucleolus
Chloroplast
Vacuole
Pseudopod
Analysis and Conclusion:
1. What type of cell does each of the previous specimens represent? For example,
a fern is a plant cell…what is a cheek cell? _________________ ... A bacterial cell?
_________________ ... An amoeba? ___________________
2. Describe the general shape of each cell type: plant, animal, protist and
bacteria. ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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3. Compare the general sizes of the cells by ranking them from largest to smallest.
______________________________________________________________________________
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4. Why is it necessary to measure cells in micrometers instead of millimeters?
______________________________________________________________________________
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5. What cell structures do plants have that the others do not? WHY?
______________________________________________________________________________
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6. How did the bacteria cells differ from the other cell types?
______________________________________________________________________________
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7. How did the Amoeba differ from the other cell types?
______________________________________________________________________________
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