C5CompPA
COMPARING PLANT AND ANIMAL CELLS
PRE-LAB
Complete assignment as teacher instructs.
BACKGROUND
There are two kinds of cells; prokaryotic and eukaryotic. Prokaryotic cells, such as bacteria and
archaea, are small, relatively simple cells that do not have a nucleus. All other forms of life are
composed of one or more larger and more complex eukaryotic cells, which are distinguished by
the presence of a true nucleus. The plant and animal cells to be observed are eukaryotic.
SAFETY
1.
2.
3.
Microscope slides are made of glass and will break.
Use proper microscope technique.
Avoid getting stain on clothing and skin.
MATERIALS
microscope slides
cover slips
forceps
green plant cell source
dropper bottle filled with water
dropper bottle of methylene blue or iodine
flat toothpicks
beaker of disinfectant (10% bleach) solution
PROCEDURE
Part A- Examining Plant Cell
Preparing Plant Cell Wet Mount
1. Place one drop of water on a clean slide.
2. Using the forceps, remove the thin membrane of the plant surface layer and place on the drop
of water. Make sure that the membrane is flat.
3. Carefully place a coverslip over the drop of water and plant membrane. Wick excess water
with a piece of paper towel placed at the edge of the cover slip. (Put a very small amount of
pressure on the cover slip to remove air bubbles).
Observing Plant Cell Wet Mount
1. Using the 4X scanning objective, bring the plant tissue into focus; switch to the 10X low
power objective to locate and focus the specimen. Sketch your observations in the space
provided on the student data sheet
2. Switch to the 40X high dry objective; sketch observations.
3. In the box provided, compare the 10x and 40x sketches. Identify and label any structures
observed.
4. In the table, list the structures observed and provide evidence for the identification.
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PART B – Examining Animal Cells
Preparing Animal Cell Wet Mount
1. Place a drop of methylene blue or iodine in the center of a clean slide.
2. Using the flat end of a toothpick, gently scrape the inside of your cheek.
3. Stir the toothpick around in the drop of stain until the wet area is about the size of a dime.
Dispose of the toothpick.
4. Cover the cheek cells with a cover-slip, being sure to press out any air bubbles as the coverslip is lowered into place.
Observing Animal Cell Wet Mount
1. Using the 4X scanning objective, locate a few cheek cells. (Reduce the amount of light to
better view the cells, if needed.)
2. Switch to the 10X low power objective, focus on a few cheek cells and sketch them in the
space provided on the student data sheet.
3. Switch to the 40X objective and focus the cheek cells for observation. Sketch observations
in the space provided on the student data sheet.
4. If time permits, have students observe other student slides to compare and contrast with
their own.
5. When finished, place the cheek slides in the disinfectant beaker, and clean up the work
area station.
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STUDENT DATA SHEET
NAME___________________
DATE____________________
COMPARING PLANT AND ANIMAL CELLS
A.
Plant Cells (10X)
Plant Cells (40X)
Compare observations:
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Animal Cells (10X)
Animal Cells (40X)
Compare observations:
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
STUDENT ANALYSIS
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Complete the following.
1.
Compare the plant cell with the animal cell by placing checks in the appropriate columns
on Table 1 to indicate cell structures observed in each cell type during this activity.
Table 1: Comparison of cellular organelles present in Plant and Animal Cells.
Structure
Plant Cell
Expected
Observed
Animal Cell
Expected
Observed
Cell Wall
Nucleus
Large Central Vacuole
Cell Membrane
Cytoplasm
Chloroplast
Golgi Complex
Mitochondrion
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum
Ribosome
2. What structures distinguish plant cells from animal cells?
3. a. Explain why all of the structures in the table above are not observed with the light
microscope.
b. How do scientists know that these structures exist?
4. Construct a Venn diagram to compare the structures of plant and animal cells.
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