Lab 1 – Introduction to Microscopy

Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells

 Plase (cell) membrane:

All living cells, prokaryotic and eukaryotic, have a plasma membrane that encloses their
contents and serves as a semi-porous barrier to the outside environment. The membrane
acts as a boundary, holding the cell constituents together and keeping other substances
from entering. The plasma membrane is permeable to specific molecules, however, and
allows nutrients and other essential elements to enter the cell and waste materials to leave
the cell. Small molecules, such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water, are able to pass
freely across the membrane, but the passage of larger molecules, such as amino acids and
sugars, is carefully regulated.
http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/cells/plasmamembrane/plasmamembrane.html

 Cell wall:
One of the most important distinguishing features of plant cells is the presence of a cell
wall. The relative rigidity of the cell wall renders plants sedentary, unlike animals, whose
lack of this type of structure allows their cells more flexibility, which is necessary for
locomotion. The plant cell wall serves a variety of functions. Along with protecting the
intracellular contents, the structure bestows rigidity to the plant, provides a porous
medium for the circulation and distribution of water, minerals, and other nutrients, and
houses specialized molecules that regulate growth and protect the plant from disease.
http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/cells/plants/cellwall.html

 Protoplast:

 Cytoplasm:

 Vacuoles:

A vacuole is a membrane-bound sac that plays roles in intracellular digestion and the
release of cellular waste products. In animal cells, vacuoles are generally small.

Vacuoles tend to be large in plant cells and play a role in turgor pressure. When a plant is
well-watered, water collects in cell vacuoles producing rigidity in the plant. Without
 sufficient water, pressure in the vacuole is reduced and the plant wilts.

http://www.cellsalive.com/cells/vacuole.htm

 Nucleus:

The nucleus is the most obvious organelle in any eukaryotic cell. It is a membrane-bound
organelle and is surrounded by a double membrane. It communicates with the
surrounding cytosol via numerous nuclear pores.

 Nucleolus:

The prominent structure in the nucleus is the nucleolus. The nucleolus produces
ribosomes, which move out of the nucleus to positions on the rough endoplasmic
reticulum where they are critical in protein synthesis.

 Chloroplast:

The organelle in which photosynthesis occurs (in the leaves and green stems of plants) is
called the chloroplast. Chloroplasts are relatively large organelles, containing a watery,
protein-rich fluid called stroma. The stroma contains many small structures composed of
membranes that resemble stacks of coins. Each stack is a granum (the plural form
is grana). Each membrane in the stack is a thylakoid. Within the thylakoid membranes
(or thylakoids) of the granum, many of the reactions of photosynthesis take place. The
thylakoids are somewhat similar to the cristae of mitochondria.

http://www.cliffsnotes.com/study_guide/Chloroplast.topicArticleId-8741,articleId-
8597.html

Prokaryotic Cells Cyanobacteria

Lyngbya, a Cyanobacteria with unbranched

filaments similar to Oscillatoria and
Phormidium, but with thick and definitive
mucilaginous sheaths
Eukaryotic Cells Elodea cell

Cells in Elodea leaf, showing plastids.

Elodea leaf
 Plasmolyzed Elodea

Lab 2 – Premeability of the Red Blood Cell

Lab 3 – Cellular Processes in Amoeba proteus