1. Suggest why a stain was used on the stem and root cells.

• The Toluidine blue O stains the different components of the cells different colors,
enhancing their visualization. For example, lignin is stained blue and pectin is stained
purple, allowing us to see how their concentrations differ in various parts of the plant - it
provides us with information of the nature of the cell.
2. Explain why it was important not to use too much stain when preparing the slide.
• Excess stain can impair visibility of the cells, as it will increase the depth of field due to the
distance between the coverslip and cells. Excess liquid under the coverslip will also cause
the coverslip to slide and move around, making it more difficult to get a clear image.

3. Describe a method for comparing the size of the xylem tissue in the root and stem
samples.
• We would cut and stain a part of the plant’s root and stem tissues and place them under a
light microscope.
• Using a stage micrometer and an eyepiece graticule we could measure the size of the xylem
tissue in both samples and compare them to get an estimate result.