Cell Structure Mini Lab
Name:_________________________
Period:______________
Notes on microscopes & drawing observations
Today, you will be observing under a microscope:
1) human cheek cells
2) onion epidermis cells
3) tomato cells
4) leaf lower epidermis cells
If we have time, you may also observe 1) epidermis cells on the back of your hand and 2) cork cells
A) Animal cell (human)
1. Put a single drop of methylene blue onto your slide
2. Round off the tip of a toothpick
3. Gently scrape & swirl the tip of the toothpick on the inside of your cheek
4. Swirl the toothpick tip into the methylene blue drop on the slide
5. Gently starting from one side, carefully place the coverslip onto the slide.
6. Observe and draw one cell at 100x and 400x. Label the cell membrane and nucleus.
100x
400x
B) Onion epidermis cells
1. Obtain a small layer of an onion and peel the thin, tape-like skin from the concave side of the
inside.
2. Carefully spread it out and place it on a slide
3. Put one drop of methylene blue stain on the onion
4. Carefully place the coverslip onto the slide and carefully press the sides down
5. Observe and sketch cells at 100x and 400x. Label the cell membrane, the cell wall and the
nucleus.
100x
400x
C) Tomato epidermis cells
1. With a razor, carefully shave off a very thin layer of skin from the outside of a tomato
2. Place skin sliver on slide and put one drop of water on it
3. Carefully place coverslip onto slide and observe at 100x.
100x
A) Leaf lower epidermis cell
1. Paint the under-side of a leaf with clear nail polish and allow to FULLY DRY
2. Place a piece of clear tape on the nail polish on leaf, then press on it. Slowly peel off the tape
3. Place the tape face-up on a slide and observe at 100x and 400x. What do you see?
____x