Lab Report 1

Research Question
● What impact do various levels of magnification (4x, 10x, and
40x) have on the visibility of cheek and onion cells when
observed through a light microscope?

Personal Engagement

This was my first time going into and experimenting in a lab for a
long time. Using the microscope was a new experience for me as
well. My partner and I were fascinated by the images produced by
the microscope which derived from the onion cell. We took many
pictures of the image as evidence. We struggled switching between
magnification when conducting the experiment with cheek cells so in
the end we didn't fully finish examining the cells of the cheek. Overall
it was a fun experience and I look forward to future lab work.

Background
According to (2014, Nature Education) Cell biology is the study of
cell structure and function, and it revolves around the concept that
the cell is the fundamental unit of life. Focusing on the cell permits
a detailed understanding of the tissues and organisms that cells
compose. Some organisms have only one cell, while others are
organized into cooperative groups with huge numbers of cells. On
the whole, cell biology focuses on the structure and function of a
cell, from the most general properties shared by all cells, to the
unique, highly intricate functions particular to specialized cells.

This then takes us to (Britannica) Cell theory, fundamental

scientific theory of biology according to which cells are held to be
the basic units of all living tissues. First proposed by German
scientists Theodor Schwann and Matthias Jakob Schleiden in 1838,
the theory that all plants and animals are made up of cells marked
a great
conceptual advance in biology and resulted in renewed attention
to the living processes that go on in cells. As in all experimental
sciences, research in cell biology depends on the laboratory
methods that can be used to study cell structure and function.

There are two main ways we can view and study cells, they are
Light and Electron microscopy.
Light microscopy is used in biology for its ease of use and the
ability to observe live specimens, making it suitable for routine
observations of larger biological structures. In contrast, electron
microscopy provides much higher resolution and is essential for
studying subcellular details, making it ideal for in-depth structural
analysis of cells, organelles, and nanoparticles. Both techniques are
vital for different aspects of biological research, allowing scientists
to explore a wide range of biological phenomena.

In this lab report we will be investigating two different types of

eukaryotic cells, cheek and onion cells. Eukaryotic cells, such as
those found in cheek cells, possess components like a nucleus, cell
membrane, cytoplasm, and multiple organelles. Onion cells are
another example of eukaryotic cells. Their cell walls are made of
cellulose, which provide structural support and maintain their
shape. This report will explore how the microscopic examination of
these cell types alters our ideas of how cells look and investigate
how varying levels of magnification impact the observation of
cheek and onion cells. Furthermore, it will touch upon various
microscope types and the alterations in cell appearance when
magnified.

Hypothesis
Higher magnification results in a smaller number of cells in the
microscope lens. Given that magnification pertains to a
restricted portion of the cellular structure, it unveils specific
areas
characterized by precise and intelligible features. In contrast,
when images are exhibited and observed at lower magnifications,
a more comprehensive depiction is presented, facilitating a more
accurate enumeration of cells.

Requirements/Materials
➔ Lab coat
➔ Toothpicks
➔ An Onion
➔ Paper tissues
➔ Compound Microscope
➔ Slides and coverslips
➔ Lens cleaning tissues
➔ Diluted methylene blue stain
Procedure
Procedure A: Plant Tissue
1. Initiate the process by delicately cleaning the coverslips with
cleaning tissue before cautiously inserting them, as they are
known for their fragility.
2. Retrieve a section of sliced onion and gently break it in half,
using your index finger and thumb, until the transparent
membrane becomes clearly visible.
3. Carefully employ forceps to remove one portion of the onion
slice, allowing the transparent membrane to peel off. Subsequently,
proceed to detach the entire membrane from the remaining half of
the slice.
4. Position the membrane on a microscope slide and add two
drops of Methylene Blue. Gently affix the cover slip in place. 5.
Fine-tune the illumination of the microscope, causing multiple cells
to become discernible at 40x magnification.
6. Ensure the repetition of the fifth step, each time at
magnifications of 100x and 400x.
7. Commence the assessment of the field of view at
each magnification level.
8. Maintaining clarity in your sketches and labels is essential.
Pay close attention to the identification of cell walls, cell
membranes, chloroplasts, and nuclei.

Procedure B: Animal Tissue

1. Commence by delicately cleaning the coverslips using
cleaning tissue, and then carefully insert them with utmost care,
being mindful of their fragility.
2. Select a pristine toothpick and proceed to gently scrape the
interior of your cheek. This action will yield a specimen.
Subsequently, rub the toothpick across the center of a glass
slide, ensuring that the specimen is evenly spread.
3. Apply two drops of Methylene Blue onto the evenly spread
specimen, and then position the coverslip at the center of the
glass slide.
4. Adjust the light source of the microscope for optimal focus. 5. At
magnifications of 40x, 100x, and 400x, diligently record precise
data and illustrate your findings.
6. Begin the assessment of the field of view for each
magnification setting.
7. Annotate your illustrations with the meticulously collected
data, taking care to include any discernible organelles and
additional details.
Safety/ethical /environmental considerations
➔ Methylene Blue and other stains used should be handled and
disposed of according to safety guidelines to avoid skin or
eye contact and inhalation.
➔ Caution should be exercised when using sharp objects like
toothpicks or scalpel blades to avoid accidental cuts or
 injuries.
➔ Microscopes should be handled carefully to prevent damage
and ensure safe operation.
➔ Be careful if there is a risk of broken glass because cover slips
are easily broken. Keep an emergency supply kit close by hand. ➔
Lab coats must always be worn, and long hair should be pulled
back.

Raw Data
Table 1: Variables (Independent, Dependent, and Constant)

Dependent Variable Independent Variable Constant Variable

Different Onion cell Microscope

magnification
(4x,10x,40x)

Cheek Cell Temperature

Table 2 : Number of Onion and Cheek Cells under

different magnification

Magnification Number of onion cells

Number of Cheek cells
counted
counted

4x 834

10x 325

40x 45

Processed Data
Cells Low - Medium Medium - High Low - High

Onion cells 832 - 325 = 507 325 - 45 = 280 832 - 45 = 787

Cheek Cells
 PICTURES of Onion and Cheek Cells Under the Microscope

Cells Type 4x magnification 10x

40x
magnification
magnification

Onion Cells

Cheek Cells

Data Analysis
Simply by glancing at the data, one may deduce the impacts of the
three different magnifications on the plant and animal cells
observable under a light microscope. As the number of lenses
grew, fewer cells were visible. Less lenses of the magnification are
utilized as more cells are visible and may be seen. There were
numerous
visible cells on the onion.
Conclusion
In summary, the primary objective of this study was to investigate
whether the number of observable plant and animal cells through a
light microscope varied at different magnification levels (4x, 10x,
and 40x). The experiment successfully addressed the question of
how varying magnifications influence the count of visible plant and
animal cells. It was observed that at higher magnification (40x), a
reduced number of cells were visible, approximately 45 cells.
Conversely the hypothesis "More cells are visible at lower
magnifications" was true, with significantly more cells becoming
visible at lower magnification (4x), approximately 832 cells. It
became evident that the quantity of observable cells is contingent
on the magnification lens used. All three tables substantiated and
reinforced the initial hypothesis.

Evaluation( strengths/weaknesses/ suggestions

for improvement)
❖ Strengths:
➢ Being able to peel the onion layer and placing it on the
glass using tweezers
➢ Successfully using the different magnification for each
cell and differentiating them.
➢ The microscope was able to produce a clear picture of
the cell with the methylene blue stain.
❖ Weaknesses:
➢ Trying to take pictures of the cell in different
magnification
➢ Not finishing both the experiments, especially the cheek
cell as we encountered a problem producing an image
thru the microscope
❖ Suggestions for Improvement:
➢ Ask the teacher for help when you encounter problems
with your experiment.
➢ Manage your time properly to finish on time