Cheek Cell Slide Preparation
Name: ______Period:______
Purpose
To prepare a slide of cheek cells and sketch observations
Materials
Flat-edge toothpicks, microscope, microscope slides, water, paper towels, methylene blue, cover slips, colored pencils
Procedure
1. Place a drop of water on a microscope slide.
2. Use the flat edge of a toothpick to gently scrape the inside of your cheek.
3. Gently swirl that end of the toothpick into the drop of water.
4. Place a small drop of methylene blue dye onto the drop of water and cheek cells. CAUTION: This will dye your clothes permanently, and your skin (until the cells shed).
5. Place a cover slip over the slide by placing the bottom edge in the water drop and holding it at a 45 degree angle to the slide. Drop the cover slip over the water drop. If air bubbles are seen, gently press on the cover slip to release the bubbles.
6. Pull excess dye and water out from underneath the cover slip by allowing a paper towel to touch one side of the cover slip.
7. Set the magnification of your microscope to 40X.
8. Focus, and then set your microscope to 100X.
9. Using your colored pencils, sketch your observations below.
10. Describe the shape of the cells you observed.
11. Find the dark-stained area of a cell. What do you think this area is?
12. Sketch one cheek cell. Be sure to label the power of magnification.
Data:
(9) Using your colored pencils, sketch your observations here.
Describe the shape of the cells: ______
(12) Sketch one cheek cell (there are several in the viewing area)
Analysis and Conclusions
1. Describe what a cheek cell looks like under the microscope.
2. What function(s) do you think cheek cells have in the mouth?
3. Do you think all cells in your body look like your cheek cells? Why or Why not?
4. What do you think your nerve cells look like (draw/describe below)?