Cell Structure

Experiment 2
CELL STRUCTURE
OBJECTIVES

At the end of the experiment, the students should be able to:

1. describe and distinguish a prokaryotic cell from a eukaryotic cell, and a plant cell from an animal
cell.
2. identify the basic structures found in a prokaryotic cell, a protist, an animal cell, and a plant cell.
3. illustrate the features of specific cells and establish characteristics shared by all cell.

MATERIALS

To be assigned per group: From the preparation room:

onion (Allium cepa) compound microscope
flat-edge toothpick microscope slides and cover slips
tissue paper prepared slides of Euglena
medicine dropper methylene blue stain
illustrations of cell structures distilled water

INTRODUCTION

The cell is the basic unit of all living things. All organisms are made up of at least one cell. Large
organisms, such as humans, are made up of trillion of cells. Understanding of the structure and function of the
cell is essential in understanding the process of life. There are two types of cells: prokaryotic cell and eukaryotic
cell. A prokaryotic cell has no nuclear membrane and their genetic material (the DNA) is said to be naked.
Internal membranous subcellular structures called organelles are absent in the prokaryotic cells, while these are
present in the eukaryotic cell. Prokaryotes include bacteria and blue-green algae which both belong to Kingdom
Monera, while eukaryotes include plants, animals, protists, and fungi.
In this laboratory exercise, you are going to examine three different kinds of cells using the compound
microscope: onion cells, Euglena, and human epithelial cells.

PROCEDURE

I. Examining a Plant Cell

1. The bulb of an onion is an underground stem. The stem is completely covered by leaves, which
take the form of succulent (full of juice) scales.
Obtain a piece of scale of an onion bulb. You will use the Tissue Paper
outer layer (epidermal cells) from the scale. Bend the scale until Water Cover slip
it cracks, and then gently pull the two pieces apart; the outer
layer of epidermal should peel off easily. This tissue will be about
as thin and flexible as plastic wrap.
Add a drop of water in the center of a clean slide. Cut
off a small piece of epidermal tissue and place it in the drop of
water. Make sure that the onion tissue is flat. If it is folded,
straighten it with a dissecting probe or needle. Put one drop of
methylene blue stain directly on top of the onion tissue. Wait one minute, and then place a cover slip
over the onion tissue.
Next, remove the stain from under the cover slip and replace it with distilled water. To do this,
place a tissue paper at the edge of one side of the cover slip. Place a drop of water at the edge of the
cover slip on the other side.

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Cell Structure

The stained water under the coverslip will be absorbed by the paper towel. As the stain is
removed, the clear water next to the coverslip will be drawn under the coverslip to replace the stained
water. After the stain is replaced with clear water, you will see that certain portions of the cell absorbed
the stain well, while others did not. The stained parts of the cell are more visible under the microscope.
2. Draw and identify the following structures:

i. Cell wall - the rigid outer framework surrounding the cell. This gives the cell a definite shape and
support. It is not found in animal cell.
ii. Protoplasm - the organized contents of the cell, excluding the cell wall.
a. Cytoplasm - the protoplasm of the cell outside the nucleus.
b. Karyoplasms or nucleolus - the protoplasm of the cell within the nucleus.
iii. Chloroplasts - are green, spherical organelles often seen moving within the cytoplasm. These
organelles carry the pigment chlorophyll that is involved in photosynthesis. Observe the
movement of the chloroplasts in a process called cytoplasm streaming or cyclsosis.
iv. Nucleus - is the usually spherical, transparent organelle within the cytoplasm. This structure contains
the genetic material and controls cell metabolism and division.
v. Vacuole - a membrane-bounded sac within the cytoplasm that is filled with water and dissolved
substances. This structure serves to store metabolic wastes and gives the cell support by
means of turgor pressure. Animal cells also have vacuoles, but they are not as large and
conspicuous as those found in plants.

II. Examining a Protozoan Cell

1. Examine a prepared slide of Euglena under the compound microscope. Euglena is a single-celled,
photosynthetic and flagellated organism which belongs to Kingdom Protista that thrives mostly in
freshwater environment.
2. Identify the following structure in Euglena.
i. Cell membranethe boundary that separates the organism from its surroundings.
ii. Nucleusgranular in appearance found in the protoplasm.
iii. Vacuolesare small, dark irregularly shaped vesicles within the protoplasm.
iv. Flagelluma thin appendage from the surface of a cell; used for cellular mobility.
v. Pelliclethe flexible coverings of protozoan which form of a liquid surface a liquid medium.

III. Examining an Animal Cell

1. You will now observe some of your own cells. The epithelial cells lining in your mouth are
constantly being prepared. The old cells that are ready enough to slough off can easily be collected. Put
a drop of water on clean slide. Using the flat end of a toothpick, gently scrape inside of your cheek
(note: If you have eaten soon before doing this part of the lab, you should rinse your mouth with
water). Roll the scraping into a drop of water on clean microscope slide, add one drop of methylene
blue stain to the cells. Wait one minute and place a cover slip on the slide. Clear the slide of stain, using
the technique described in part I.1. Using a compound microscope, view cells under HPO.
2. Draw and identify the following structures:
i. Cell membranethe boundary that separates the cell from its surroundings.
ii. Nucleusthe large, circular organelles near the middle of the cell.
iii. Cytoplasmthe granular contents of the cell outside the nucleus.

IV. Ultra structure of the Cell

1. Observe the electron micrograph on demonstration in the laboratory.

2. Using the electron micrographs and your textbook, complete tables 1 & 2.

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NAME (SN, GN, MI) ______________________________ DATE PERFORMED ____________________________

SUBJECT/SECTION ______________________________ DATE SUBMITTED ____________________________
INSTRUCTOR ___________________________________ RATING ____________________________________

Report for Experiment 2

CELL STRUCTURE
Data and Questions

I - III. Draw the appearance of the onion cells, Euglena, and human epithelial cells as seen under the
microscope. Identify and label the parts.

LPO HPO LPO HPO

I. Onion Cells II. Euglena

LPO HPO

III. Human Epithelial Cells

A. What features do all cells have in common? (Identify the structure)

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B. Which among the cells are regular in shape? Which are irregular?

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Cell Structure

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C. What do you find at the outer edge of a plant cell such as an onion cell, a cell membrane or a cell wall?
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D. A cell wall is not living, while a cell membrane is a living structure. Write hypotheses based upon this
information to account for the regularity or irregularity you found in the shape of living cells.
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E. What structure did methylene blue stain in the plant tissue? In an animal tissue?
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IV. Complete the tables below summarizing the differences between prokaryotic cells and
eukaryotic cells.

Table1. Comparison of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cell

Features Prokaryotic Cells Eukaryotic Cells

Membrane-bound organelles
Nuclear membrane
DNA structure
Included organisms

Table2. Organelles Observed in the Electron Microscope

s Animal
Plants
Organelle Description Function(s)

Cell wall

Plasma
membrane

Nucleus

Chloroplast

Mitochondria

Vacuole

Golgi bodies

Microbodies

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Lysosomes

Endoplasmic
Reticulum

Ribosomes

Flagella,
Cilia
Present ( ) ; Absent (X)

REFERENCES (In standard bibliographic format)

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