Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region IV-A CALABARZON
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF SANTA ROSA CITY
LABAS SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
WESTDRIVE VILLAGE, BARANGAY LABAS, CITY OF SANTA ROSA, LAGUNA

Name: Teacher:
Grade Level and Section: Date:

Comparing Plant and Animal Cell Laboratory Activity

Introduction
Each cell has a variety of specialized structures known as organelles, which perform specific
functions and contribute to the overall functioning of the cell. While many organelles are found
in all cells, some are specific to plant or animal cells. Laboratory drawings can be used by
scientists to demonstrate the differences between different types of cells. In this laboratory active
/ stain will be used to directly observe living cells. Stains were taken up by living cells without
killing them and selectively stain intracellular structure without affecting cellular metabolism.

Specific Learning Objectives

At the end of the lesson the learner will be able to:
Objectives:
1. View samples of living organisms to find evidence that supports each tenant of the cell
theory
2. Prepare a wet mount of onion cells, leaf cells, human blood and human cheek cells
3. Compare and contrast cheek animal cell) with onion (plants) cell

Materials
• Toothpick
• Light compound microscope • 1 fresh onion
• glass slides & cover slips • 5 mL distilled water
• Forceps • 5ml stain (methylene blue)
• Dropper • 5ml stain (iodine solution)

Safety Precautions
1. Never taste anything during a science activity.
2. Wear appropriate laboratory attire; lab gown must be worn throughout the experiment.
3. Dispose of the materials as directed by your teacher.
4. Wash your hands with soap and water after the science activity.
5. Follow all laboratory instructions as directed by your teacher.

Procedure:

Making a Wet Mount:

1. Gather a thin slice/piece of your specimen.
2. Place ONE drop of water directly over the specimen.
3. Place the cover slip at a 45-degree angle (approximately) with one edge touching the water drop and
then gently let go. Do not drop vertically, set one edge down and let the other side drop

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Staining Slide:
1. Place one drop of stain on the edge of the coverslip.
2. Place the flat edge of a piece of paper towel on the opposite side of the coverslip.
3. As soon as the stain has covered the area containing the specimen, you are finished
4. Be sure to wipe off the excess stain with a paper towel.

Drawing Specimens:
1. Use pencil - you can erase and shade area
2. All drawings should include clear and proper labels. Drawings should be labeled with the
specimen’s name and magnification.
3. Labels should be written on the outside of the circle. The circle indicates the viewing field as
seen through the eyepiece, specimens should be drawn to scale

Plant Cell:
1. Place a drop of water at the center of a clean glass slide.
2. Using sharp forceps/ blade, remove a thin layer (as thin as a plastic/ cling wrap) of epidermis from
the innermost curved piece of onion
3. Spread the thin layer of epidermis on the drop of water making sure that the layer is placed
smoothly.
4. Put a drop of methylene blue stain and gently lower the coverslip.
5. Initially, focus the slide under the lowest power objective lens of the microscope.
6. Draw your observation in the activity worksheet. Include the following in your drawing: total
magnification, cell wall, cell membranes, nucleus, cytoplasm, and chloroplast with label. Give short
description on the morphology of the onion cell as well as the appearance of nucleus inside the cell
7. Switch to high power magnification and repeat no. 6.

Animal Cells:
1. Place a drop of water at the center of a clean glass slide
2. Gently rub toothpick across the inner lining of your cheek, then swish the toothpick in the drop of
water followed by a drop of iodine solution.
3. Focus the slide under low power magnification then search for few isolated cells by slowly moving
the slide
4. Draw the cheek cells and label the cell membrane, nucleus and cytoplasm. Remember to include
the total magnification as well as the description of the cell.
5. Switch to high power magnification and repeat procedure no. 4
6. You may repeat process 1 to 6 but instead of using iodine use methylene blue as stain

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Data: Draw the cells in their corresponding boxes below:

Table 1: Cheek Cells (Squamous Epithelium) under Methylene Blue

Figure Description:

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Table 2: Cheek Cells (Squamous Epithelium) under Iodine

Figure Description:

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Table 3: Onion Cells (Allium cepa) under Methylene Blue

Figure Description:

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Table 4: Onion Cells (Allium cepa) under Iodine

Figure Description:

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Table 5: Source and Evidence to Support Each Of The Cell Theory

Theory Evidence

Analysis:
1. Are all animal cells and plant cells eukaryotic or prokaryotic? Why do you say so?
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2. What structures (organelles) do both plant and animals have in common?

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3. What structures (organelles) do plant cells have that animal cells do not have?
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4. Consider that there are many organelles and structures of the cell that were not visible using the
light microscope. List two organelles that might have been visible if you were using a microscope
that had a greater magnification.
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5. In both cases, a stain was used in the preparation of the slide. Why do you think staining is
necessary?
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Prepared by:

Marianne Kristine A. Rayala Christine Rose J. Alteza

Master Teacher II Teacher II

Note: pages 1-5 should be printed and to be submitted individually.

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Strand, Grade and Section: ____________________________ Group No.: ______

Documentation of Comparing Plant and Animal Cell Laboratory Activity

BEFORE:
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DURING:
Picture 1: Picture 2: Picture 3:

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AFTER:
Picture 1: Picture 2: Picture 3:

Caption: Caption: Caption:

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Strand, Grade and Section: ____________________________ Group No.: ______

Group Members

Name: Role:
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Note: pages 6-7 should be printed and to be submitted by group leaders ONLY.