Name:______
Observing Cells Lab
Purpose:
To observe single cells underneath the compound microscope by looking at onion skin and cheek cell samples.
Materials:
Name:______
1. Compound Microscope
2. Slide
3. Cover Slip
4. Elodea
Name:______
Part A- Elodea Cells
Procedure:
1. Obtain a compound Microscope, slide and cover slip.
2. Obtain a single elodea leaf
3. Put one drop of water on the leaf and put on the coverslip.
4. Look at the elodea at low, medium, and high power.
Observations: Draw and color the cells. Label the cell wall, cytoplasm, chloroplasts, and vacuole in each picture.
Low (4x) Medium (10x)
High (40x)
Discussion Questions:
Answer the following questions in complete sentences.
1. What was the shape of the elodea? Why is that important?
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2. What organelles were visible? What ones were not?
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3. Another common plant cell lab involves looking at onion skin. The onion skin contains no chloroplasts. Why would this be?
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Part B- Cheek Cells
Procedure:
1. Obtain a compound Microscope, slide and cover slip.
2. Obtain a cotton swab to swab the inside of one partner’s cheek.
3. Rub the swab onto the slide, and immediately throw the swab into the garbage.
4. Have the teacher add a drop of methylene blue to the cheek cells. Methylene blue is toxic and stains. Please be careful!
5. Place the cover slip on top.
6. Look at the cells at low, medium, and high power.
Observations: Draw and colors the cheek cells. Label the nucleus, cytoplasm, and cell membrane in each picture.
Low (4x) Medium (10x)
High (40x)
Discussion Questions:
1. What was the shape of the cheek cell? Why is that important?
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2. What organelles were visible? What ones were not?
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3. What were the major differences you could see between the
Elodea and the cheek cell?
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