Experiment 3 Title : Cell Structure 1 Objective : I. II. III. To prepare specimens for staining.

To identify unique and standard structures of the microscopic world. To identify and use different stains for the different types of organelle.

Introduction : Cells were first described in 1665 by Robert Hooke. He examined (under a coarse, compound microscope) very thin slices of cork and saw a multitude of tiny pores that he remarked looked like the walled compartments a monk would live in. Hookes description of these cells (which were actually nonliving cell walls) was published in Micrographia. His cell observations gave no indication of the nucleus and other organelles found in most living cells. The first man to witness a live cell under a microscope was Antony van Leeuwenhoek. Leeuwenhoek probably also saw bacteria. Cell theory was in contrast to the vitalism theories proposed before the discovery of cells. The observations of Hooke, Leeuwenhoek, Schleiden, Schwann, Virchow, and others led to the development of the cell theory. The cell theory is a widely accepted explanation of the relationship between cells and living things. The cell theory states:

All living things or organisms are made of cells and their products. New cells are created by old cells dividing into two. Cells are the basic building units of life.

Eosin is a fluorescent red dye resulting from the action of bromine on fluorescein. It can be used to stain cytoplasm, collagen and muscle fibers for examination under the microscope. Structures that stain readily with eosin are termed eosinophilic. Eosin also stains red blood cells intensely red. The cotton blue lactophenol is the most common method of staining fungi. The dye will penetrate the hyphae and reproductive cells in the fungi. Plant chromosomes uses acetocarmin stain, a 1 % solution of carmine in 45 % acetic acid is used. Freshly fixed material is transferred into 1 % acetocarmine for at least 30 min and then analyzed by the squash method. If the material was fixed for a longer time, it requires a longer staining time to reach good contrast. Iodine is used as a starch indicator. When in solution, starch and iodine turn a dark blue colour. After staining cells and preparing slides, they may be stored in the dark and possibly refrigerated to preserve the stained slide, and then observed with a microscope. Nolands solution is a staining that shows blue colour which can stain flagellum.

Results : 1} Upper surface of Rheo discolours with eosin Drawing

2} Upper surface of Rheo discolours without eosin

Drawing