Biology 1, Philippine Science High School – Main Campus
Laboratory Activity # ___: PLANT AND ANIMAL CELLS
A single cell cannot show all the features that a generalized cell might have. Eukaryotic cells
occur in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. In many cases, the structures of these cells are related to the
functions which they perform. You will examine two types of eukaryotic cells – a plant cell and an animal
cell. Take note of the evidences of the relationship between structure and function for these two types of
cells.
Objectives
1. To review eukaryotic cell structure and their functions.
2. To identify cell structures specific to plant cells.
3. To identify cell structures specific to animal cells.
Materials: (to be provided by the teacher, except for those marked *)
compound light microscope
glass slides*
cover slips*
forceps
water
medicine dropper
tissue paper*
scalpel
toothpicks
small wide-mouthed jar
methylene blue
iodine solution
onion bulb
Hydrilla
Methodology
PLANT CELL
A. Onion bulb
1. Obtain a section of an onion bulb and separate the layers.
2. Hold one of the layers so that it curves towards you. Bend the layer of the onion sharply so the
shiny back surface snaps, exposing a thin membrane on the inner surface.
3. Using forceps, peel off a small piece of the thin membrane called the epidermis, and prepare a
wet mount.
4. Prepare the microscope for use.
5. Examine the epidermis under the LPO. Draw what you see.
6. Remove the slide from the microscope. Using a medicine dropper, place a drop of iodine
solution at one edge of the coverslip. Hold small piece of tissue paper on the opposite edge to
draw the iodine under the cover slip.
7. Examine the epidermal cells under the LPO. Note the appearance and compare it with the
unstained cells. Draw your observations.
8. Examine the epidermal cells under the HPO and draw your observations.
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B. Hydrilla
1. Prepare the microscope for use.
2. Prepare a wet mount of a single leaf of Hydrilla taken near the tip of the sprig. Place the leaf
upside down on the glass slide.
3. Observe under the LPO and draw your observations.
4. Observe under the HPO and draw your observations.
ANIMAL CELL
1. Obtain a clean toothpick. Hold it so that the side is parallel to your inner cheek, then GENTLY
scrape off the soft epidermis.
2. Place the material which has been scraped from the cheek in a drop of water that was placed on
a clean slide. Mix thoroughly.
3. Add a drop of methylene blue to stain the cheek cells. Add a cover slip.
4. Observe under the LPO then under the HPO. Draw your observations.
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