NAME: Kyle Mohammed

LAB NUMBER: 1

TITLE: Electron micrographs of Plant and Animal Cells

AIM: To interpret the structure of membrane systems and organelles of typical animal and
plant cell as seen in electron micrographs.

APPARATUS: Light microscope, glass slides, dissecting needle, cover slip, paper, blotting
paper

MATERIALS: Plant and Animal Cell specimens

THEORY:

Just like organs within the body, plant cell structures include various components known as
cellular organelles that perform various functions to sustain life. One of which is the Cell
wall, which functions primarily to protect and provide structural support to the cell. The cell
membrane plays an important role in regulating the entry and exit of specific substances
within the cell. The nucleus stores DNA or hereditary information required for cell division,
metabolism, and growth. Plastids are necessary to store starch, which is essential for the
process of photosynthesis. The Chloroplast, unique to plant cells, contains the photosynthetic
pigment chlorophyll which captures the energy from sunlight. The central vacuole acts not
only as a storage organelle but also helps to sustain turgid pressure against the cell wall.
Ribosomes are the sites for protein synthesis and are referred to as the protein factories of the
cell. Mitochondria provide energy by breaking down carbohydrate and sugar molecules
releasing energy. Lysosomes perform the function of cellular waste disposal by digesting
worn-out organelles, food particles and foreign bodies in the cell.

Animal cells are generally smaller than plant cells and more irregularly shape. This is due to
the absence of a cell wall which results in the lack of rigidity of the cell. The animal cell
contains a cell membrane, nucleus, cytoplasm, lysosomes, mitochondria, and ribosomes
which function like that of a plant cell. However, vacuoles present in animal cells are smaller,
but function in a similar manner.

There are distinct differences in the cellular components between plant and animal cells
which result in unique functions. This can be done using an appropriate method of
characterization such as microscopy.
METHOD:

1. The electron micrographs of Plant and Animals Cells were observed.

2. The organelles were identified and labelled in the cells provided.

3. The completed micrographs were analysed, and deductions were made.

RESULTS:

Figure 1: Electron micrograph of an animal cell

Figure 2: Electron micrograph of a plant cell mag x4500
Figure 3: Electron micrograph of a mitochondria
DISCUSSION:

From Figure 2, upon careful investigation, the presence of a cell wall in the plant cell was
seen. This was not observed with Figure 1, where a cell wall was absent. This would explain
the difference in osmotic behaviour between plant and animal cells, Cell walls provide
support and give shape to plants. In figure 2 it is seen that Plant cells have chloroplasts,
whereas in figure 1 animal cells do not. Chloroplasts enable plants to perform photosynthesis
to make food. in figure 2 it is observed that Plant cells usually have one or more large
vacuole(s), while in figure 1animal cells have smaller vacuoles, if any are present, Large
vacuoles help provide shape and allow the plant to store water and food for future use and the
storage function plays a lesser role in animal cells; therefore, the vacuoles are smaller.

SOURCE OF ERROR:

- Lens may have been dirty or contained particulates which may have altered the clarity
of the image.
- The lens may not have been exactly parallel to the specimen.

REFLECTION: I learned from the experiment how my plants can acquire energy and
photosynthesise

CONCLUSION: To conclude my aim it can be deduced that both animal and plant cells
share similar organelles which carry out similar functions and some organelles which differ
from one another to have a specified function.