Bio 14 Integrative Biology Laboratory

EXERCISE 3
CELL: TYPES, PARTS, AND FUNCTIONS

INTRODUCTION

Cells are the fundamental structural and functional units of life, in which all of the chemical reactions necessary
for the maintenance and reproduction of life take place. Structurally speaking, cells are either prokaryotic or
eukaryotic. All prokaryotic cells are independent organisms in which DNA is localized in a region but not
bound by a membrane. The eukaryotic cells, on the other hand, contain many membrane-bound structures
called organelles that perform specific functions. All eukaryotic cells have three basic parts: (a) the plasma
membrane, (b) cytoplasm, and (c) the nucleus which contains the DNA. Cells vary so much in form and
function and such, there is no typical cell.

OBJECTIVES

1. To be familiarized with the different structure of the eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell
2. To differentiate the two structural type of cells
3. To determine the different parts and functions of a prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell

MATERIALS

Compound light microscope

Prepared slides of: Glass slides
Bacillus Frog skin x. s. Cover slips Razor blade/ Scalpel
Paramecium Smooth muscle Forceps Leaves of Hydrilla
Frog kidney x.s. Rat Testis x.s
Frog stomach x.s. Rat Ovary x.s

PROCEDURE

Lab Work

1. Examine under the HPO the prepared slide of the bacterium Bacillus sp. Focus on one cell and draw
all the visible structures. Label accordingly and indicate the magnification.
2. Examine under low or high power objective the prepared slide of the protozoan Paramecium sp. Draw
and label structures identified. What are the functions of each of these structures?
3. Examine the prepared slide of a kidney cross-section. Focus on one cell and identify the visible
structures.

Compare and contrast the three cells based on the structures visible in each. Indicate which is a
eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell. Are all single-celled individuals considered prokaryotic? Explain. Are
all eukaryotes multicellular? Explain.

4. In its living state, the cytoplasm shows protoplasmic streaming or cyclosis. Observe this phenomenon
in a fresh leaf of Hydrilla mounted in water. Draw and label your observations.
5. Examine the remaining slides. Draw each cell type studied
Exercise 3. Cell: Types, Parts, and Functions
Compare the different cell types based on the following characteristics: a) basic shape, b) location of
the cell in the body, and c) function.

References:

Lytle, CF. 2000. General Zoology Laboratory Guide. 13th ed. McGraw-Hill Companies. Inc, USA 371 p

Miller, SA and Harley JP. 1999. Zoology. 4th ed. McGraw-Hill Companies. Inc, USA

Evangelista, E. V. and Evangelista, L. T. (2009). Worktext in General Botany. C & E Publishing, Inc. 181 pp.