Name: _____________________
Period: _____________________
Proceed at your own pace through this activity, carefully following each step. From time to
time, the instructions will ask you to record your observation on this data sheet. Do not
wait until the end of the activity to write or draw your observations.
Part A: Observing cork cells
Much like Robert Hooke in the mid-1600’s, you will observe cork cells under a compound
light microscope. Use the cork DUST in the bottom of the container. This allows you to
see individual cells. If the cork is too thick you can’t see the individual layers.
Prepare a wet mount using the cork dust. Observe the cork in various positions on the
stage by moving the slide as you look into the eyepiece with the low power objective.
Sketch what you see below using both low power and high power.
Cork Cells
(low power= ______x)
Cork Cells
(high power= _______x)
1. Is the cork you used alive?
2. What are the small units that can be seen under low power/high power called?
3. What can you see inside each of the cork cells?
4. What specific part is all that remains of the cell?
5. Is cork produced by a plant or animal?
6. Describe the shape and sizes of the individual cork cells.
7. What did Robert Hooke see inside the cork cells?
Robert Hooke believe that these cells were empty. The cork cells are not alive. That is
why they appear to be empty. Lets look at some living cells. Anton von Leeuwenhoek first
observed living cells around 1675. They are more interesting.
Part B: Observing Elodea Cells
Some Elodea (a freshwater plant) leaves are in water at the supply table. Take one leaf
from a stem of elodea (only a single petal) and place it on a slide. Add a drop of water and
a cover slip. Look at the elodea under low power and high power. Sketch what you see,
try to make your drawing accurate, regarding the size and shape of the cells under low and
high power.
Elodea Cells
(low power= ______x)
1. What did you notice most about the Elodea cells?
2. Which organelle is responsible for the green color?
3. What is the pigment that is inside the organelle?
Elodea Cells
(high power= _______x)
4. Is the elodea a plant or animal cell?
5. What is the function of the chloroplast?
Summary Questions:
1. How does the elodea differ from the cork cells?
2. In what ways were these cells similar?
3. Name some of the structures/organelles that were present in the cells you
looked at under the microscope?
Part C: Observing Animal Cells (you and your cheek cells)
Place a drop of iodine in the middle of the slide. With the end of a toothpick gently
rub the inside of your cheek then stir the toothpick in the iodine on your slide. THROW
YOUR USED TOOTHPICK IN THE GARBAGE IMMEDIATELY! Place a cover slip over
the iodine mixture. Make sure that your slide is dry before you place it on the stage of the
microscope. Observe the slide under low power first and then high power.
Cheek Cells
Cheek Cells
(low power= ______x)
(high power= _______x)
1. What structure did you notice most in the cheek cells?
2. What is the general shape of the cheek cells?
3. What is the purpose of the iodine?
4. What type of cell is the cheek, prokaryotic or eukaryotic?