Name:
Period:
Biology
Unit 2: Cells and Cellular Processes
Day # 33
Thur. Oct 3
LAB: Cell Structure and Function
Introduction
Although the cell is the building block of all living organisms, cells differ dramatically in shape, size, and
function. Prokaryotic cells are less complex, are usually found only in single-celled organisms, and have
more limited capabilities than eukaryotic cells. Multicellular organisms are made up of highly integrated
aggregations of specialized eukaryotic cells. In this lab, we will investigate some of the ways cells differ
and connect the structural differences to functional differences.
DLO: Investigate how cells are different and why. How does a cell’s structure relate to a cell’s function?
Give three examples.
Procedure:
You will rotate to each lab station and observe the cell samples under the microscope. Follow the
directions at each station. Draw the cells with as much detail as possible. Your pictures must fill the
circle provided. Label all of the organelles. Write additional notes in the margin.
Station 1: Human cheek cells
This slide is prepared by scraping the inside of the mouth and then smearing the material on the slide. You
will probably notice many small objects on the slide with the cheek cells. These are bacteria normally
found in the mouth. Use 400x lens. Label nucleus and cell membrane.
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Station 2: Salamander liver cells
This cell shows a thin slice through the liver of Amphiuma, a type of salamander. Use 400x. Label Nucleus
and cell membrane.
Station 3: Cork cells
This slide shows a thin slice through a piece of cork. “Cork” comes from the bark of a cork oak tree. The
cells that make up the cork die when they reach maturity. The material that remains, making what we call
cork, is the cell walls of the bark cells. Use 100x. Label cell wall.
Station 4: Onion bulb epidermis cells
The tissue on this slide is the epidermis, or skin, that covers the scales of an onion bulb. Use 400x. Label
Cell wall and nucleus.
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Station 5: Privet leaf cells
The material on this slide shows a thin slice through a leaf. A leaf is an organ of a plant made up of several
types of tissue so you will see several types of cells. The cytoplasm is dyed pink, and the chloroplasts are
dark pink. The empty space in the cells is a water vacuole. Use 400x. Label cell wall, chloroplasts,
cytoplasm, and vacuole.
Station 6: Yogurt culture cells (bacteria)
Yogurt is made by the fermentation the lactose in milk with bacteria. This slide shows the bacteria that
make milk into yogurt. Use 400x. Label cell wall and nucleus.
Station 7: Elodea leaf cells.
These are living cells with the natural colors. Label cell wall, chloroplasts, and cytoplasm.
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Station 8: Pond water—mostly algae
Analysis
Using the claim, evidence, reasoning framework answer the following the questions.
1. Do all cells have the same structure? Claim, evidence, reasoning
2. How does a cell’s structure relate to a cell’s function? Claim, three examples, and reasoning.
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