Skip to main content
Biology LibreTexts

1.5: Cells

  • Page ID
    24084
  • \( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

    Introduction:

    The cell theory states that all living things are composed of cells, which are the basic units of life, and that all cells arise from existing cells. In this course, we closely study both types of cells: prokaryotic and eukaryotic. Prokaryotes lack a nucleus and true organelles, and are typically significantly smaller than eukaryotic cells. Prokaryotic organisms are found within the domains Bacteria and Archaea. Eukaryotic cells contain nuclei as well as other organelles that work together to support the homeostasis of the whole cell. Though eukaryotes are larger than prokaryotes, we must use a microscope to view all cells, which are typically too small to see with the naked eye.

    There are vast differences between cell types, but a few features are common to all cells: plasma membrane, cytoplasm, ribosomes, and cytoskeleton. All cells also use DNA for their genetic material. In eukaryotes, this is within the nucleus while in prokaryotes, it is found in the nucleoid region of the cytoplasm. Prokaryotes generally have a cell wall made of peptidoglycan and some have flagella or fimbriae, which are used for movement or attachment. Eukaryotes have several more organelles and are further differentiated into 2 categories: plant cells and animal cells.

    Some organelles common to eukaryotes include mitochondria, peroxisomes, vesicles, lysosomes, smooth and rough endoplasmic reticula, and Golgi bodies. Animal cells tend to lack cell walls and chloroplasts, while plant cells do contain chloroplasts and have cellulose cell walls.

    In this lab, bacterial, animal, and plant cells will be observed using the microscope. Students will draw what was visualized to record their observations.

    Part 1: Bacterial Cells clipboard_e449b3470bfc78f737ef48302e9bd7a07.png

    View a prepared slide of common bacterial cell types; prepare a wet mount of cyanobacteria and observe under the microscope.

    Materials:

    • Compound microscope
    • Methylene blue
    • Microscope slide
    • Cover slip
    • Transfer pipette
    • Culture of Oscillatoria

    Procedure:

    A. Fixed Slide of Bacterial Types

    1. Examine the demonstration slide of mixed bacteria. There are 3 common shapes: round (coccus), rod (bacillus), and spiral (spirillum). The slide should have several of each type of bacteria.
    2. Draw each of the bacterial shapes in the spaces at right.

    B. Wet Mount of Oscillatora

    1. Using the transfer pipette, transfer a drop of liquid culture onto a microscope slide.
    2. Place coverslip onto the slide.
    3. Use the SCANNING (4x) objective to focus. You are looking for very faint green thin filaments.
    4. Switch to low power (10x). You may be able to see lines going across the filaments, but the image will likely just look like green floss.
    5. Once you have centered and focused the image, switch to high power (40x) and refocus. The individual cells should be visible at this magnification; each filament is composed of cells stacked on top of each other. Remember, do NOT use the coarse adjustment knob at this point!
    6. Sketch the bacteria at low and high power. Label the cytoplasm and cell wall of a single cell. Draw your cells to scale.

    clipboard_ecae3f02353417fe155f4746be79f8a0d.png

    Questions:

    1. Why are nuclei not visible within the cells viewed?

    2. The common name for species like Oscillatoria is blue-green algae. This group of bacteria is capable of photosynthesizing. Do they contain chloroplasts? Explain.

    Part 2: Animal Cells clipboard_e63a7fc2995e77737e727cae7f124e981.png

    Prepare a wet mount of a human cheek cell and observe under the microscope.

    Materials:

    • Compound microscope
    • Methylene blue
    • Microscope slide
    • Cover slip
    • Toothpick

    Procedure:

    1. Put a drop of methylene blue on the slide.
    2. Gently scrape the inside of your cheek with the flat side of a toothpick. Scrape lightly!
    3. Stir the end of the toothpick in the stain and throw the toothpick away.
    4. Place a coverslip onto the slide.
    5. Use the SCANNING (4x) objective to focus. You probably will not see the cells at this power.
    6. Switch to low power (10x). Cells should be visible, but they will be small and look like nearly clear purplish blobs. If you are looking at something very dark purple, it is probably not a cell.
    7. Once you think you have located a cell, switch to high power (40x) and refocus. Remember, do NOT use the coarse adjustment knob at this point!
    8. Sketch the cell at low and high power. Label the nucleus, cytoplasm, and cell membrane of a single cell. Draw your cells to scale.

    clipboard_eef5acef9dd73080a2b66b3bfdf535194.png

    Questions:

    1. Why is methylene blue added?

    2. The light microscope used in the lab is not powerful enough to view other organelles in the cheek cell.

    a. What parts of the cell were visible?

    b. List 2 organelles that were NOT visible but should have been in the cheek cell.

    3. Is the cheek cell a eukaryote or prokaryote? How do you know?

    4. Keeping in mind that the mouth is the first site of chemical digestion in a human. Your saliva starts the process of breaking down the food you eat. Keeping this in mind, what organelle do you think would be numerous inside the cells of your mouth?

    Part 3: Plant Cells

    Prepare wet mounts of an onion cell and an Elodea leaf cell and observe both under the microscope. clipboard_eaa520704bfc4947d674c72072ce6f628.png

    Materials:

    • Compound microscope
    • Microscope slide
    • Cover slip
    • Dropper bottle with dH2O
    • Forceps
    • Pre-cut onion bulb
    • Culture of Elodea
    • Dissecting needle

    Procedure:

    A. Wet Mount of an Onion Cell

    1. Put a drop of water onto the microscope slide.
    2. Using the forceps, gently peel off a small piece of the “membrane” of the onion (epidermis). It should be very thin and may curl up on itself.
    3. Place the onion sample into the drop of water on your slide. Try to unroll/straighten out the sample to view a single layer of cells. You may need to use the dissecting needle to do this.
    4. Place a coverslip onto the slide.
    5. Use the SCANNING (4x) objective to focus. You probably will not see the cells at this power.
    6. Switch to low power (10x). Cells walls should be visible: they will look like semi-clear grid lines.
    7. Once you think you have located a cell, switch to high power (40x) and refocus.
    8. Sketch the cell at low and high power. Label the nucleus, cytoplasm, and cell wall of a single cell. Draw your cells to scale.

    clipboard_e392a63132dba8dae1cdd1b1c291742bd.png

    B. Wet Mount of an Elodea Leaf Cell clipboard_eb16b4cc8fef2c622290a2ce5421cf1c7.png

    1. Put a drop of water onto the microscope slide.
    2. Using the forceps, gently tear off a small piece of a leaf from Elodea.
    3. Place the Elodea leaf into the drop of water on your slide.
    4. Place a coverslip onto the slide.
    5. Use the SCANNING (4x) objective to focus. You probably will not see the cells at this power.
    6. Switch to low power (10x). Cells walls should be visible: they will look like dark grid lines.
    7. Once you think you have located a cell, switch to high power (40x) and refocus.
    8. Sketch the cell at low and high power. Label the chloroplasts, cytoplasm, and cell wall of a single cell. The nucleus may be visible as well—it will be a large, clear figure. Draw your cells to scale.

    clipboard_eac0b323120761fcf0dd70bb6aec1b515.png

    Questions:

    1. Describe the shape and the location of chloroplasts.

    2. Were chloroplasts observed in the onion cells? Why or why not?

    3. “Animal cells have mitochondria; plant cells have chloroplasts.” Is this statement true or false? Explain.

    4. Fill out the Venn diagram below to show the differences and similarities between the onion cells and the Elodea cells.

    clipboard_e206a2d559ff9a7e6c98f5c89f15afb9d.png


    This page titled 1.5: Cells is shared under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Susan Burran and David DesRochers (GALILEO Open Learning Materials) via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform; a detailed edit history is available upon request.