COR JESU COLLEGE

BASIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Sacred Heart Avenue, Digos City

Name: _______________________________________ Grade 12 STEM _______ Rating: _______

Specialization: ACS AHS AE

Laboratory 1
CELL STRUCTURE: Onion Epidermal Cell and Cheek Cell

Objectives:
1. Study the structures of the cheek cell and onion’s epidermal cell;
2. Identify cells that undergoes different stages of mitosis from the specimens; and
3. Manipulate the microscope and identify its different parts and function.

Introduction
Onion skin cells have many rectangular cells and human cheek cells are usually circular in shapes that
are easy to see under a light microscope. Many of the organelles cannot be seem with a light microscope
because they are generally clear or too small. However, you can observe the cell wall, nucleus, cytoplasm and
even mitosis, a type of cell division. The cell membrane is right inside the cell wall. The cheek cell does not
always have a uniform shape and some may be clumped together or smashed. These are harder to focus on
and you may need to rotate the diaphragm to limit the amount of light entering. These are also generally clear.
You can see the cell membrane, nucleus, and cytoplasm.

Materials
2 clean slides Liquid dropper
2 clean slide covers Forceps
A toothpick Electric Microscope / Light Microscope
Methylene blue Onion
Iodine Cheek cell

Procedure
Preparing the wet mount slide of onion skin
1. Break the onion-slice into two. (from outside to inside layer)
2. Carefully pull/peel the thin white layer (epidermal cell) of the onion.
3. Place the peeled epidermal cell of the onion on the glass slide.
4. Put at least 2-3 drops of iodine solution on the surface of the epidermal cell using the liquid dropper to
stained the specimen. This staining method provides a better view of the specimen under the
microscope.
5. Place the glass slide cover on the specimen to secure and cover the sample. Gently press the slide cover
to eliminate the bubbles and airs on in the specimen.
6. Place the specimen on the microscope and start adjusting using the adjustment knobs.
7. Answer the guide questions A.
8. Provide a drawing of the epidermal cell at the back of the laboratory sheet and label the parts.

Preparing the wet mount slide of cheek cells

1. Put at least 2-3 drops of methylene blue on the surface of the glass slide. Make sure that the glass slide
is place at the balance surface to avoid spilling.
2. With the use of toothpick, hold the thin/pointed part of the toothpick with your finger and place the
other part in mouth (cheek part) and gently scrape the toothpick up and down for 15 times to obtain
cheek samples. NOTE: In doing this step, make sure that the student who is assigned on this did
not touch any chemicals in the lab to avoid being poisoned.
3. Swirl the toothpick into the dye (methylene blue) side by side to transfer the cheek cells.
4. Place a single thread of hair on the specimen to help you to focus the specimen under the microscope.
5. Place the cover slip on the glass slide to secure and cover the sample.
6. Place the specimen on the microscope and start adjusting using the adjustment knobs.
7. Answer the guide questions B.
8. Provide a drawing of the cheek cell at the back of the laboratory sheet and label the parts.
Guide Questions

A. Onion Epidermal Cells

1. What type of cell is the onion cell? How can you tell?

2. Why are the dyes important in this laboratory?

3. Did you see cells that undergo mitosis in the specimen? If YES, state exact stage of mitosis and explain
the activity of the cell. If NO, explain.

4. Answer the questions in the table.

Parts of the onion cell that were visible Draw the Micrograph of Onion Cell

B. Cheek Cells
1. What type of cell is the cheek cell? How can you tell?

2. Did you see cells that undergo mitosis in the specimen? If YES, state exact stage of mitosis and explain
the activity of the cell. If NO, explain.

3. Which was the easiest to get a clear view of the cells? Why?

4. Answer the questions in the table

Parts of the cheek cell that were visible Draw the Micrograph of Cheek Cell
 C. Label the different parts of the microscope and answer the questions.

__________________1. A light microscope is also referred to as a?

__________________2. The type of knob that is used for small adjustments and focusing.

__________________3. Part of the microscope that is used to hold the specimen.

__________________4. Total magnification is the product of two values: power of eyepiece and power of?

__________________5. Part of the microscope that is used when lifting or moving the microscope.

6. What are the procedures in cleaning the microscope?

7. How and where to keep the Microscope?