NAME:____________________PERIOD:_____DATE:_______
Lab: The Cell
Introduction:
The cell is the basic unit of structure and function in all living things. All of the
processes necessary for life occur in cells. In single-celled organisms, such as
amoeba, all of the functions required by the organism take place within one cell.
Multicellular organisms, such as humans and plants, are made up of many cells with
different structures and functions. The shape and size of a cell, as well as the
structures found inside it, are determined by the functions of the cell. In this lab you will
observe several different types of cells. You will compare and contrast the structures
you see in the cells, and relate the structures to the functions the different cells perform.
Problem:
 How are the structures of specialized cells adapted to fit their particular functions?
Pre-Lab Discussion:
1. What types of cells have a cell membrane, cytoplasm, and a nucleus?
2. Where would you expect to find the cytoplasm in a cell?
3. In what types of cells would you expect to see a cell wall?
4. Saclike structures called vacuoles are found in many cells. What is the function of
vacuoles?
5. An organelle is a cell structure with a specialized function. Plastids are plant
organelles. Which plastid traps the energy of sunlight and converts it into chemical
energy?
6. What structures do you expect to find in the cell samples you will be viewing?
7. What structures should you expect to be able to see in the plant cells that you are
viewing versus the animal cells?
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Materials:
 Microscope Slides
 Cover Slips
 Prepared Cork Slide
 Onion Skin
 Elodea Leaf
 Toothpick
 Iodine Solution
 Methylene Blue Solution
 Water
Procedure:
Part 1: Cork
Examine the prepared cork slide under low power. In the space provided, draw a
sketch of what you observe and write down the total magnification at which you are view
the cork.
Total Magnification:___________
1. What do the units that make up cork look like?
2. What are these units called?
3. Are all these units of similar size?
4. Are there spaces between the cells?
5. Do you think these cells are living?
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Part B: Onion
Cut a small portion of an onion lengthwise. Remove a thick scale and peel the
transparent inner layer of tissue. Place it on the slide add a drop of water. Avoid
wrinkling the tissue. Add a cover slip. In the space provided, draw a sketch of what you
observe on low power.
Total Magnification: __________
6. What is the shape of the cells?
7. Are they similar in shape?
8. Carefully raise one side of the cover slip and add a drop of iodine solution. What
effect does iodine have on the cells?
9. What is the appearance of the cytoplasm?
10. What is the appearance of the nucleus?
11. Are the nuclei always in the same position in each cell?
12. How many nuclei are there in each cell?
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Part C: Elodea
We will view the elodea leaf on the computer as a class. While viewing the
elodea leaf, draw what you observe and label the following parts: cell wall, chloroplasts,
cytoplasm, and nucleus.
Total Magnification: _____________
13. The small oval green bodies that appear in the cells are chloroplasts. Can you see
any chloroplasts moving?
14. Are the chloroplasts in the cytoplasm or the nucleus?
15. What factors might affect the size and shape of the Elodea leaf?
16. How is the plant cell different from the animal cell?
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Part D: Cheek Cells
Gently scrape the inside of your cheek with a clean toothpick. Rub the part of
the toothpick that you scraped in your mouth in the middle of the microscope slide to
transfer the material from your cheek to the slide. Add 1 drop of methylene blue to the
slide where your cheek material is and then cover it with a cover slip. (You may to blot
off excess methylene blue before you put in under the microscope.) Examine under low
power and then draw what you see and label the following parts: plasma membrane,
cytoplasm, and nucleus.
Total Magnification: ____________
17. Describe the shape of cheek cells.
18. How does the cheek cell differ from the Elodea cell?
19. How does the methylene blue help in looking at the cheek cells?
20. How can you tell the nucleus from the cytoplasm?
21. What is the outer covering of the cheek cells called?
22. Do cheek cells contain chloroplasts?
21. Are both plants and animals composed of cells?
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