The Study of Cells
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Before we perform this experiment in class please read the entire lab. You do not need to
print the lab.
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Complete the pre-lab section (Objective, Methods Part I & II, Pre-lab questions) of the
Student Worksheet in your lab notebook and bring it to class.
INTRODUCTION:
All living organisms can be sorted into one of two groups depending on the fundamental
structure of their cells. These two groups are the prokaryotes and the eukaryotes.
Prokaryotes are organisms made up of cells that lack a cell nucleus or any membrane-bound
organelles. This means the genetic material, DNA, in prokaryotes is not bound within a nucleus.
Additionally, the DNA is less structured in prokaryotes than in eukaryotes. In prokaryotes,
DNA is a single loop. In Eukaryotes, DNA is organized into chromosomes. Most prokaryotes
are made up of just a single cell (unicellular) but there are a few that are made of collections of
cells (colonies).
Eukaryotes are organisms made up of cells that possess a membrane-bound nucleus (that holds
genetic material) as well as membrane-bound organelles. Genetic material in eukaryotes is
contained within a nucleus within the cell and DNA is organized into chromosomes. Eukaryotic
organisms may be multicellular or unicellular. Eukaryotes can be further divided into plant
and animal cells. Plant cells and animal cells differ slightly in that plant cells have a cell wall
and chloroplasts while animal cells do not.
OBJECTIVE: To observe and identify different types of cells using a light microscope.
METHODS:
Part I: Known Slides
Complete the following for EACH slide!
1. VIEW the slide under the microscope.
a. Start on low power (4x), find the image and focus. Move the revolving
nosepiece to medium power (10x) and fine tune your focus. Move the
revolving nosepiece to high power (40x) and again fine tune your focus.
2. DRAW the image. Label the image with the following information:
a. Name of slide
b. Magnification of image drawn
c. If you see any cell structures label them. For instance - cell membrane, cell
wall, nucleus. You should have at least 1 label per image.
3. DESCRIBE what you saw in words. Include at least 3 descriptors.
You Will Be Graded On Your Sketches. Look Back And
Make Sure They Are:
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Colorful
Labeled
Accurate
Neat
Detailed
In Pencil
Part II: Unknown Slides
1. VIEW the slide under the microscope.
a. Start on low power (4x), find the image and focus. Move the revolving
nosepiece to medium power (10x) and fine tune your focus. Move the
revolving nosepiece to high power (40x) and again fine tune your focus.
2. DRAW the image. Label the image with the following information:
a. Number of slide.
b. Magnification of image drawn.
c. If you see any cell structures label them. For instance - cell membrane, cell
wall, nucleus. You should have at least 1 label per image.
3. DETERMINE what type of cell you are looking at – prokaryotic, eukaryotic plant
or eukaryotic animal. Give at least 2 reasons to support your answer.
Scroll down for student worksheet. You can print pages 3 – 5 or simply write your
answers on a separate piece of paper.
CELL INQUIRY LAB
STUDENT HAND OUT
PRE-LAB QUESTIONS:
1. Draw a Venn diagram comparing prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
2. Draw a Venn diagram comparing plant and animal cells.
3. Under what magnification will you sketch your slide?
4. What parts of the cell will you label if you can?
5. What are the criteria that will be used to grade your sketches?
CONCLUSION QUESTIONS:
1. After viewing the slides recreate your Venn diagram comparing prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
This time use descriptors from the lab.
2. After viewing the slides recreate your Venn diagram comparing plant and animal cells. This time
use descriptors from the lab.
3. What is the difference between a colony and a multicellular organism?
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