Cell Observation Lab
You will differentiate between a variety of
prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells by observing,
sketching and labeling organelles and other cellular
structures.
Bacteria
Yogurt
Part I: Prokaryotic Cells (Bacterium)
Materials: toothpick, yogurt, microscope,
water dropper, slide, coverslip.
1. Using a toothpick, place a very small dab of
yogurt on a slide.
2. Add a drop of water
3. Carefully add a cover slip
4. Focus on an area where there is some
white space between the yogurt.You will
see tiny, shimmering bacterial cells (like
dust specks).
5. Draw and label the cells under high power.

Part II: Eukaryotic Cells (Protists)
Materials: Pond water, pipette,
microscope, slide, coverslip.
1. Using the pipette, place a small drop of
pond water on a slide. Include some
sediment.
2. Carefully add a cover slip
3. Focus on an area around the sediment.
4. Draw and label the cells and observable
structures under medium and high
power.

Algae
Paramecium
Water bear
Part III: Eukaryotic Cells (Fungi)
Materials:Yeast, pipette, water dropper,
microscope, slide, coverslip.
1. Using the pipette, place a tiny drop of
yeast solution on a slide.
2. Add a small drop of water from the
water dropper.
3. Carefully add a cover slip
4. Draw and label the cells and observable
structures under high power.

Yeast cells
Part IV: Eukaryotic Plant Cells
(Onion)
Materials: onion, Iodine, microscope, slide,
coverslip.
1. Obtain a piece of onion
2. Fold the onion with the natural curve and peel
the thin inside skin from the onion as shown in
class.
3. Place the onion skin flat on the slide.
4. Add a drop of iodine on top of the onion skin.
5. Carefully add a cover slip. Wait for 3 minutes.
6. Draw and label the cells and observable
structures under medium power.

nucleus
cell wall
cytoplasm
Part IV: Eukaryotic Plant Cells
(Anacharis)
Materials: Anacharis (aquatic plant), water
dropper, microscope, slide, coverslip.
1. Obtain a single anacharis leaf
2. Place the leaf flat on the slide.
3. Add a drop of water on the leaf
4. Carefully add a cover slip.
5. Draw and label the cells and observable
structures under high power.

chloroplasts
cytoplasm
cell wall
Part V: Eukaryotic AnimalCells
(Cheek cells)
Materials: toothpick, cheek cells, iodine,
microscope, slide, coverslip.
1. Add a drop of iodine on a slide.
2. Obtain a toothpick
3. With the wide side of the toothpick, gently
scrape the inside of your cheek.
4. Stir the toothpick in the drop of iodine on the
slide.
5. Carefully add a cover slip.
6. Focus on a small cluster of cheek cells. Draw
and label the cells and observable structures
under high power.

cytoplasm
nucleus
cell membrane
Clean up!
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Very carefully rinse all slides and
coverslips. Pat dry.
Return slides to paper towel on side of
room.
Return cover slips to petri dish
Throw away used materials: toothpicks,
leaves, onion, paper towels…
Turn off and unplug microscopes. Wipe
down your area.
Post-Lab Questions:
There are two main types of cells—Prokaryotic
cells and Eukaryotic cells. Name examples of
prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells.
2. List at least three differences you observed
between the Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells.
3. Two types of eukaryotic cells are plant and
animal cells. What differences did you observe
between plant and animal cells?
4. You observed plant cells from an onion bulb and
a green aquatic plant. What structure was
missing from the onion cells?
1.
Post-Lab Questions:
3.
4.
Two types of eukaryotic cells are plant
and animal cells. What differences did
you observe between plant and animal
cells?
You observed plant cells from an onion
bulb and a green aquatic plant. What
structure was missing from the onion
cells?
Conclusion:
Develop a conclusion concerning the
diversity of cells you observed. Comment
on significant similarities and differences.
What were the most interesting
observations you made? Make references
to your drawings and written observations
as you write your conclusion.
2. Staple your Sketches, Answers and
Conclusion together. Hand in when
complete.
1.