Onion and Cheek Cells Lab Pre-Lab Information Students will use a microscope to examine the structure of the onion epidermal cell with particular emphasis on the cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm and nucleus. Students make a wet-mount slide of their own cheek cells and another of onion cells. Students work to draw their observations at different powers under the microscope and then answer reflection/analysis questions for discussion later. This lab us to discuss the differences between plant and animal cells. This is a quick and easy way to have students observe actual animal and plant cells. Objective Our aim is to prepare stained temporary mounts of onion peel and human cheek cells and to record the observations. Onion Cell An onion is a multicellular plant organism. As in all plant cells, the cell of an onion peel consists of a cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus and a large vacuole. The nucleus is present at the periphery of the cytoplasm. The vacuole is prominent and present at the centre of the cell. It is surrounded by cytoplasm. The presence of a cell wall and a large vacuole are indicators that help identify plant cells, such as seen in the onion peel. Cheek Cell As in all animal cells, the cells of the human cheek do not possess a cell wall. A cell membrane that is semi-permeable surrounds the cytoplasm. Unlike plant cells, the cytoplasm in an animal cell is denser, granular and occupies a larger space. The vacuole in an animal cell is smaller in size, or absent. The nucleus is present at the centre of the cytoplasm. The absence of a cell wall and a prominent vacuole are indicators that help identify animal cells, such as cells seen in the human cheek. Cell Organelles Have you ever wondered what the inside of a cell looks like? If you think about the rooms in our homes, the inside of any animal or plant cell has many similar room-like structures called organelles. Here are some names and descriptions of organelles and other parts commonly found in cells. Your teacher will show you a step-by-step video and audio instructions on how to prepare a wet mount specimen of onion bulb epidermis plants cells.
Onion and Cheek Cells Lab Pre-Lab Information Students will use a microscope to examine the structure of the onion epidermal cell with particular emphasis on the cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm and nucleus. Students make a wet-mount slide of their own cheek cells and another of onion cells. Students work to draw their observations at different powers under the microscope and then answer reflection/analysis questions for discussion later. This lab us to discuss the differences between plant and animal cells. This is a quick and easy way to have students observe actual animal and plant cells. Objective Our aim is to prepare stained temporary mounts of onion peel and human cheek cells and to record the observations. Onion Cell An onion is a multicellular plant organism. As in all plant cells, the cell of an onion peel consists of a cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus and a large vacuole. The nucleus is present at the periphery of the cytoplasm. The vacuole is prominent and present at the centre of the cell. It is surrounded by cytoplasm. The presence of a cell wall and a large vacuole are indicators that help identify plant cells, such as seen in the onion peel. Cheek Cell As in all animal cells, the cells of the human cheek do not possess a cell wall. A cell membrane that is semi-permeable surrounds the cytoplasm. Unlike plant cells, the cytoplasm in an animal cell is denser, granular and occupies a larger space. The vacuole in an animal cell is smaller in size, or absent. The nucleus is present at the centre of the cytoplasm. The absence of a cell wall and a prominent vacuole are indicators that help identify animal cells, such as cells seen in the human cheek. Cell Organelles Have you ever wondered what the inside of a cell looks like? If you think about the rooms in our homes, the inside of any animal or plant cell has many similar room-like structures called organelles. Here are some names and descriptions of organelles and other parts commonly found in cells. Your teacher will show you a step-by-step video and audio instructions on how to prepare a wet mount specimen of onion bulb epidermis plants cells.
onion_and_cheek_cells_lab1_1_.docx