Grade 10 Science (SNC 2D1)
Unit: Biology
Lab: Histology
Name:
Date:
Histology is the study of the microscopic anatomy of tissues. The most common way to study histology is
through extensive microscopic observation of “sections” of various organs taken from appropriate organisms human, rat, dog, cat, etc. Sections are thin slices that are essentially two dimensional. Some sections are
cross sections while others are longitudinal sections. Depending on the way the tissue is cut, different features
will be observed.
In this lab, you will observe sections of 9 different tissues.
1. DO NOT adjust the slide on the stage. You may focus using the fine adjustment knob, but DO NOT change
the objective lens or use the coarse adjustment knob.
2. Draw a sketch of each tissue. The colour of each tissue is not important; the colour is from the stain used to
dye the cells.
3. Pay close attention to the shapes of the cells and how they are arranged.
4. While you are observing the tissues, look for any similarities or differences between the different tissues.
5. If you can, identify and label the cell membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus.
Microscope 1
Microscope 3
Microscope 2
Microscope 4
Microscope 6
Microscope 5
Microscope 7
Microscope 8
Microscope 9
Analysis of your microscope drawings:
1. Based on your observations of the nine tissue samples, can you group any of the tissues together?
The nine tissue samples you observed can be grouped into four different tissue types:
a) epithelial tissue (to line the surfaces of the body, both as a body covering and between internal organs)
b) muscle tissue (designed to change shape and cause movement)
c) nervous tissue (made of cells called neurons that send electrical impulses to coordinate body actions)
d) connective tissue (strengthens, supports, protects, binds, or connects cells and tissues)
2. Based on the similarities and differences between the nine tissue samples you observed, can you
determine the tissue type of each sample?
3. Refer to page 88 and 89 in the McGraw-Hill Ryerson ON Science 10 textbook. Can you determine the
identity of the nine tissue samples?