Biology Student
EQ: Are there just plants and animals?
Cells of the Six
Kingdoms Lab
Targeted Skills
Preparing wet mount slides, using the microscope, making
labeled drawings, recognizing relationships
Enduring Understanding
Living things are organized by similarities and differences.
Broad Brush Knowledge
Collect and classify, comparing the six kingdoms
Concepts Important to Know and Understand
Organization of Living Things, patterns
Core Objectives
13. Categorize the six kingdoms by major characteristics.
PURPOSE:
 Review the proper way to prepare wet mount microscope slides.
 Use a microscope to observe cells from the six kingdoms.
 Make labeled drawing of cells.
 Compare similarities and differences in cell structure and function.
 Recognize characteristics of each of the six kingdoms.
A plant looks and behaves very differently from the insects that might feed on it and from fungi that might
grow in its roots. Likewise, different types of single-celled organisms, such as Amoebas and bacteria, vary
in appearance. Differences in the cells of organisms ultimately account for these variations. As the
functional units of life however, all cells have common characteristics. For example, every cell contains
genetic material, cytoplasm and ribosomes and is surrounded by a cell membrane. In this investigation,
you will examine cells representing organisms from each of the six kingdoms.
MATERIALS:
microscope, microscope slides, coverslips, prepared microscope slides of various specimens, pencil,
colored pencils
GENERAL PROCEDURES:
1. Draw a few cells for each specimen under HIGH power.
2. Color the cell the color that you see it.
3. Label parts as directed.
4. List total magnification under each drawing in the appropriate place.
DATA:
KINGDOMS EUBACTERIA AND ARCHAEBACTERIA
1. Obtain a prepared slide that contains the 3 shapes of bacteria. In the circles below, draw each cell
shape under high power. Label the shape underneath the drawing as coccus (round), bacillus (rod) or
spirilli (spiral). In addition, label the cytoplasm , cell membrane and cell wall on each cell.
___________ X
___________ X
___________ X
___________ Cell Shape
___________ Cell Shape
___________ Cell Shape
Cells of the Six Kingdoms Lab - Student
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Comparison Study: Prokaryote vs. Eukaryote
2. Obtain a prepared slide of a Prokaryote/Eukaryote.
Find the prokaryote under low power first and then
switch to high power and draw it in the space provided.
Determine the shape of the bacteria and record in the
space provided. Label the cytoplasm, cell membrane.
___________ X
___________cell shape
3. Now look at the Eukaryotic cell.
Find the cell under low power first and then
switch to high power and draw it in the space provided.
Determine the shape of the bacteria and record in the
space provided. Label the cytoplasm, cell membrane.
___________ X
___________cell shape
Observation: What are some of the main differences between a eukaryotic cell and a prokaryotic cell.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
KINGDOM PROTISTA
5. Obtain a prepared slide of Paramecium
6. List the major characteristics of Kingdom Protista.
caudatum.
What must be present in order for a protest to
Find the Paramecium under low power first and
survive?
then switch to high power and draw 1-2 cells in
the space provided. Label the cytoplasm, cell
membrane, chlorophyll and cell wall.
___________ X
Cells of the Six Kingdoms Lab - Student
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KINGDOM FUNGI
7. Is Kingdom Fungi autotrophic or heterotrophic?
Is this Kingdom multicellular or unicellular? Explain.
8. Obtain a prepared slide of yeast. Find the
specimen under low power first and then switch
to high power. Draw 2-3 cells in the space
provided under high power. Label the cell
membrane, cell wall, cytoplasm and budding.
___________ X
KINGDOM PLANTAE & KINGDOM ANIMALIA
9. Obtain a prepared slide of a general Plant cell.
Draw a plant cell in its entirety under high power.
Label the cell membrane, cell wall,
chloroplasts, cytoplasm and nucleus.
___________ X
10. Obtain a prepared slide of an general animal cell.
Draw an animal cell under high power.
Label the cell membrane, cell wall,
cytoplasm and nucleus.
___________ X
11. Make a list of the similarities and differences between a plant and an animal cell. Use your book as a
reference.
Cells of the Six Kingdoms Lab - Student
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This is the end of the laboratory investigation. Turn off your microscope. Clean and dry all
slides and coverslips. Follow your teacher’s instructions for properly putting your
microscope away. Once you are checked out, complete the data analysis and conclusion.
DATA ANALYSIS:
1. Complete the table below.
 Write the cell type (prokaryote or eukaryote) in the appropriate box.
 Describe the general size and shape of cells from each kingdom.
 Place a check () in the cell structure column if the structure is present in cells of that kingdom.
(You may not have seen all of these structures, so look in your foldable for help.)
COMPARING CELLS FROM THE SIX KINGDOMS
Kingdom Cell Type
Size &
Shape
Cell Structures
Cytoplasm
Cell
Membrane
Genetic
Material
Nuclear
Membrane
Chloroplasts
Cell Wall
Eubacteria
Archaebacteria
Protista
Fungi
Plant
Animal
Cells of the Six Kingdoms Lab - Student
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CONCLUSION
1. Complete the Venn diagram below to compare prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Use the terms below
and write them in the correct place on the diagram. Areas that overlap suggest common characteristics
between pro- and eukaryotes, while separate regions suggest differences between pro- and eukaryotes.
Genetic material, mitochondria, cytoplasm, cell membrane, nuclear membrane, chloroplasts, ribosomes
PROKARYOTES
EUKARYOTES
2. Which kingdoms have organisms that are prokaryotes? ____________________________________
3. Which kingdoms have organisms that are eukaryotes? ____________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
4. Which kingdom is believed to be the ancestor of all eukaryotes?
____________________________
5. Most kingdoms have organisms that have cell walls except one. Name this kingdom. ____________
6. Members of the animal and plant kingdoms are eukaryotic and multicellular. What are some ways that
one can differentiate between a plant cell and an animal cell? ______________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
7. Describe what an autotroph can do that a heterotroph cannot do? ___________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
8. Write the names of the kingdoms in the Venn diagram below. This diagram compares which kingdoms
have organisms that are heterotrophic, autotrophic or both. The area that overlaps would contain the
name of the kingdoms where there are organisms that could be autotrophic or heterotrophic. Refer to
your foldable as a reference.
AUTOTROPHS
Cells of the Six Kingdoms Lab - Student
HETEROTROPHS
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