AIM –

Study of Squamous epithelial cells to determine nucleus and Barr bodies

THEORY-
Epithelial cells are a type of cell that covers the inside and outside of the
surfaces of your body. They are found on your skin, blood vessels, and
organs, including your urinary tract.
These cells present in the buccal cavity protect the buccal cavity. These
cells do not have any intracellular spaces and protect the inner layer of
cuboidal cells.
The barr body is the inactive X chromosome in the female somatic cells.
This is basically a compact structure of the chromatin in the nuclei in the
female. Barr body is the condensed chromatin, dark staining spot at the
periphery of the nucleus of each somatic cell in the human body. Barr
Bodies can be found in various biological samples such as hair, buccal
cells, and blood. Since women have two X chromosomes, one being
inactivated, a single Barr Body is present in female mammal cells while
males typically have no Barr Body present since they have only one X
chromosome. Barr body can be easily identified with ordinary stains. It
also helps in identifying the sex of an individual when used judiciously.
Procedure:
Squamous cells(with the help of a tooth pick and a cover slip)are taken
in 0.7% saline solution to prevent osmotic shock and stained with
Methylene blue on a grease free slide .Extra stain is drained off and cells
are then studied under low and high power of microscope.
OBSERVATION:
Single layer of flat cells was observed. Each cell has a plate like shape
and contains a single nucleus.

Fig : Microscopic view of the Squamous epithelial cells

Precautions:

 Squamous cells should be carefully picked from the buccal cavity

with the help of a toothpick so as to avoid injury.
 The slides should be made grease-free with alcohol and extra stain
should be drained off so that the cells could be properly visualized.