02- Post Laboratory 1

Reflections

1. Identifying Bacteria Gram Stain

Gram Stain is one of the most used staining methods in microbiology that differentiate two group
of bacteria. Gram staining focuses on distinguishing gram positive to gram negative, through
coloring the cells with violet (positive) and pink (negative).
While watching the video and doing some research, it is found out Gram staining has three major
processes: the staining of soluble dye called crystal violet (first stain) decolorization- whereas, to
remove the color of the gram negative, and counterstaining to put color on gram negative using
safranin.
Also, I’ve learned that the thickness of peptidoglycan layer in the cell membrane between gram
positive and gram-negative bacteria is the reason why differences in color occurs. Gram positive,
with a thicker peptidoglycan layer, retail crystal violet stain during the decolorization process,
while gram negative bacteria lose the crystal violet stain and are instead stained by the safranin
in the final staining process.
It’s fascinating how these bacteria is being separated from each other. The process is easy, yet it
needs knowledge and discipline for it to work.

2. Identifying plant cell

Plants consist different parts, and each part consists cells that functions on its own different way.
Seeing a leaf with our eyes is just a cliche normal leaf with its green or yellow colors, but
looking closely at it through a microscope unfolds the mystery within, you’ll see variety of
shapes. Shapes that are called cells.
These cells are divided into 3 types which are the epidermal cell- the one that protects the cell,
spongy mesophyll cell- the ins and outs, and the elongated palisade cell, where the
photosynthesis happen. Epidermal cell are cells that joined together to form a surface. Basically,
it is the outermost layer of the leaf. The one that consists the upper and lower epidermis, which
are present on either side of the leaf. Looking deeper on the microscope, you’ll see shapes with
spaces between each other- that is the spongy mesophyll cell. When the plant is
photosynthesizing during the day, these features allow carbon dioxide to diffuse into the spongy
mesophyll cells through the small pores called stomata. While on the other hand the palisade cell
is where the photosynthesis takes place. They are these vertically elongated, a different shape
from the spongy mesophyll cells beneath them.
Moreover, I’ve also learned the parts of the plant cell:
The Nucleus- the control center of the cell, the brain. The one that contains deoxyribonucleic
acid DNA
The Chloroplasts- carry out the process photosynthesis, which turns water, Co2 and light Energy
into nutrients from which the plant can obtain energy
Vacuoles – is a small sphere of plasma membrane within the cell that can contain fluid, ions and
other molecules.
Cell Wall- layer found outside that gives protection to the cell.
And many more. Its amazing how the smallest things that even our bare eyes couldn’t see would
be the most important part of a plant, that is sometimes big and mighty and it is its main
foundation for its growth. From this we could see that there are so much to learn within our
environment.

3. Cheek Cell Practical

The video focuses on the process on getting Cheek Cell, staining it (putting color on the cell to
make it visible) and properly observing the latter through a microscope.
As it goes, on a glass slide put a droplet of distilled water, then get some specimen from inside
your mouth on cheek area using a toothpick and rub it on the slide with water then cover it and
put stains (color) and then observe.
While getting on the microscope, you can’t just look at it, you must first the check the
microscope for more accurate result and observation. Lower power objective was not clicked
nosepiece at front, Stage is all the way up and turn on. At first you won’t see anything, it’ll be
blurry so adjust the course adjustment knob, you could do, low power objective, medium power
objective and high-power objective- whereas at this level, you would be able to see the Cell
Membrane and the Nucleus of the cell.

4. Identifying Pond Water Organisms

Indeed, we are never alone. We can’t fathom the number of organisms that live in the earth that
our bare eyes can’t see- the microorganisms. Invisible to the naked eye, however there is a
teeming world of microbes living not only in the ocean but all over the earth with complexity
and diversity that rivals all other life on earth. Though not seen, does not mean unimportant.
Most of them are cleaners on the earth and the one that balances the earth ecosystem.
It is liberating to see that; we are able to see these magnificent microbes using only Microscopes.
We are able to study them. This machine plays significant role on our research.
5. Cell Structure in an Onion Root Tip
Onion Root Tip cells is growing rapidly, and this characteristic make it perfect for the
experiment to see different stages of Mitosis. As I researched, Mitosis is a process where a single
cell divides into two identical daughter cells (cell division). The purpose of this division is
necessarily for growth of cell and to replace worn out cell.
During the experiment, different stages can be seen actually:
Interphase- the preparation stage. DNA is Copied
Prophase- the chromosomes condense into X-shaped structures. Chromosomes pair up.
Metaphase- the chromosomes line up neatly end-to-end along the center (equator) of the cell.
Anaphase- the sister chromatids are then pulled apart by the mitotic spindle which pulls one
chromatid to one pole and the other chromatid to the opposite pole.
Telophase- The single cell then pinches in the middle to form two separate daughter cells each
containing a full set of chromosomes within a nucleus. This process is known as cytokinesis.