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Gr 9 THE CELL AND MICROSCOPE

The bodies of all plants and animals consist of tiny compartments called CELLS.
This name comes from the Latin word “cella” meaning chamber.
Bacteria and protists consists of only one cell and are called unicellular (one celled).
It is calculated that the adult human body consists of more than 40 000 cells and is therefore
multicellular (many celled). These cells are not all the same as tissues in the human body perform
different functions.

Plant cells: Elodea Animal cells: Cheek cells

THE STUCTURE OF THE CELL:

CELL WALL

Every plant cell has a cell wall. It is made of cellulose and is non-living.

Functions: 1. Gives shape and strength to the cell.

2. Protects the contents of the cell.

CELL MEMBRANE

The cell content of both plant and animal cells is surrounded by a thin living membrane, called the
cell membrane.

Function: Controls the movements of substances in and out of the cell.

NUCLEUS

This is the most important part of the cell. Under a light microscope the nucleus is round and can
be identified as a dark sphere.
In animal cells and young plant cells, the nucleus is more or less central. In mature plant cells it is
pushed to the side by the vacuole.

Functions: 1. Controls all the activities of the cell.

2. Contains the genetic material/DNA.
The DNA determines all the characteristics of an organism.
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CYTOPLASM

This is a jelly-like colourless substance that fills the whole cell. It has small bodies called
organelles embedded in it.

Function: Provides a medium in which the organelles can be suspended.

VACUOLE

This is a cavity in the cytoplasm, containing cell sap. Cell sap consists of water and minerals.
Older plant cells have large vacuoles, but in young plant cells the vacuoles are smaller.
In animal cells the vacuoles are small or not present at all.

Functions: 1. Stores water and mineral salts.

2. To keep plant cells firm.

CHLOROPLASTS

Chloroplasts are green organelles found in the leaves and stems of plant cells.
They contain the green pigment called chlorophyll which traps radiant energy from the sun for the
process of photosynthesis.
Function: Chloroplasts produces organic food (glucose) during the process of
photosynthesis.

MITOCHONDRION

Mitochondria are the cells energy producers. In every living cell (both plant and animal) they
release the energy stored in food by the process of cellular respiration.
The process requires oxygen and gives off carbon dioxide.
Most cells have lots of mitochondria. Muscle cells have hundreds of mitochondria as they require
a lot of energy to contract.

TABLE OF DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PLANT AND ANIMAL CELLS.

PLANT CELL ANIMAL CELL

List FOUR similarities between plant and animal cells.

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________
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THE ORGANISATION OF CELLS

In multi cellular organisms the structure of certain cells is adapted to suit a particular function. Not
all cells perform the same functions. Eg. Muscle cells contract to move the skeleton, red blood
cells transport oxygen and nerve cells transmit impulses.

Give the definition of the following:

Tissue: _________________________________________________________________

Organ: _________________________________________________________________

System: ________________________________________________________________

Organism: _______________________________________________________________

Cell Tissue Organ System Organism

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CELL WORKSHEETS

1. Mix and Match

___ nucleus 1. Green organelle which undergoes photosynthesis

___cytoplasm 2. Cavity which stores water

___chloroplast 3. Membrane which is the outer boundary of the cytoplasm

___vacuole 4. Found surrounding plant cells

___cell membrane 5. Jelly-like substance in which organelles are suspended

___cell wall 6. This organelle controls the cell

2. Organelle Function

Chloroplast _______________________________________________

Cell membrane _______________________________________________

Cell wall _______________________________________________

Nucleus _______________________________________________

Vacuole _______________________________________________

3. Label the following diagrams

4. Provide the term for each of the following

a) A group of the same type of cells performing the same function ___________________

b) A number of different tissues making up one organ_____________________________

c) A number of organs performing one function __________________________________

d) A number of systems composing one individual _______________________________

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5. State the names of the following organelles

a) Keeps the cell firm______________________________

b) Controls the cell________________________________

c) Controls the entry and exit of substances into and out of

the cell ______________________________________

d) Gives shape and protect the cell ___________________

e) Makes organic food _____________________________

f) The substance the cell wall is made of_______________

g) The substances stored in the vacuole_______________

6. State the differences between plant and animal cells in the table below

Plant cells Animal cells

7. Label the following diagrams

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THE MICROSCOPE
CARE OF THE MICROSCOPE

1. Always carry the microscope in an upright position. Hold the arm in one hand and
place the other hand under the base.

2. The microscope must always be placed in the middle of the desk.

3. Never touch the lenses or allow any liquid to come into contact with it.

4. Any liquid spilled on the microscope must be wiped immediately.

5. Do not unscrew or remove any part of the microscope.

6. When you have finished using the microscope, remove the slide.

7. Always ensure that the low power objective lens is in place when packing away
the microscope.

SETTING UP THE MICROSCOPE

1. While looking down the eyepiece, adjust the mirror until you see a clear, bright circle
of light.

2. Ensure that the low power objective lens is clicked in position.

3. Place the prepared slide on the stage.

4. While looking from the side, turn the coarse focus adjustment screw to slowly lower the
tube until the low power objective lens is just above the slide.

5. While looking down the eyepiece, slowly turn the coarse focus adjustment screw
towards you, lifting the tube until the specimen comes into focus.

6. When the specimen is in focus, use the fine adjustment screw to get the focus as
clear as possible.

7. If you need to enlarge the specimen, use the medium power and then the high power.
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___________________________________
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FUNCTIONS OF THE PARTS OF THE PRIMARY MICROSCOPE

Eye piece_______________________________________________________________

Coarse adjustment screw___________________________________________________

Fine adjustment screw_____________________________________________________

Nose piece______________________________________________________________

Objectives_______________________________________________________________

Stage and stage clips______________________________________________________

Diaphragm______________________________________________________________

Mirror__________________________________________________________________

How to work out magnification: Eyepiece x Objective = Magnification

Eg: If the eyepiece is 10x and the objective is 40x, the image is enlarged by 400x.

Fly
Maggot

Water bear Pollen

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Step 1: Using a dropper, put 1-2 drops of water or

iodine solution on the slide.

Step 2: Place the specimen in the water/iodine.

Step 3: Place the coverslip at the edge of one side of

the liquid at a 45-degree angle and slowly
lower the coverslip to prevent air bubbles.

Step 4: Use a bit of paper towel to blot any excess

liquid on the slide.

PRACTICAL 1: Elodea cells

Place one Elodea leaf in a drop of water and examine the cells under low, medium and
high power.

a) Why was the Elodea leaf mounted in water? __________________________________

b) Describe the shape of the cells.____________________________________________

c) How many chloroplasts do you observe in each cell? ___________________________

d) Draw 3 to 4 cells and label your diagram.

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PRACTICAL 2: Onion epidermis

 Remove the epidermis (thin layer of transparent cells) from the inner side of an onion.
 Mount the cells in iodine solution.
 Examine your specimen under low, medium and high power.

a) Why was iodine solution used rather than water? ______________________________

b) Describe the shape of the cells. ____________________________________________

c) Are there any air spaces between the cells? __________________________________

d) Are the cells uniform in shape and size? _____________________________________

e) What is the dark circle (dot) called that you can observe in each cell?______________

f) Draw 3 to 4 cells and label your diagram.

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PRACTICAL 3: Cheek cells

 Place a drop of iodine solution on your slide.

 Lightly scrape the inside of your cheek using a toothpick.
 Gently roll the toothpick in the iodine solution on your slide.
 Place a cover slip over the specimen and examine on low, medium and high power.

a) Describe the shape of the cells.____________________________________________

b) Are the cells uniform in shape and size? ____________________________________

c) Can you observe a nucleus in each cell? ____________________________________

d) Where in the cell is the nucleus situated? ____________________________________

e) Draw 3 to 4 cells and label your diagram.

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MICROSCOPE AND CELL WORKSHEETS

1a) The diagram below show steps in preparing a wet mount. Arrange these steps in the
correct sequence by making use of the letters.

b) Provide labels for parts 1, 2 and 3.

2. Complete the following table by putting a tick (√) in the correct block.

Structure In plant cells only In animal cells only Both plant and animal cells
Nucleus
Cytoplasm
Cell membrane
Large vacuole
Chloroplast
Cell wall
Flexible shape

3. Complete the table below by putting each word from the list below in the correct
column.

heart leaf sperm fern blood

stomach chloroplast ladybird muscle flower
frog onion epidermis digestive system kidney root

Organelle
Cell
Tissue
Organ
Organ system
Organism

4. State the function of the following parts of the microscope.

a) Mirror: _______________________________________________________________

b) Stage clips: ___________________________________________________________

c) Eyepiece: _____________________________________________________________

d) Focussing screw: _______________________________________________________

e) Stage: _______________________________________________________________

f) Objective lens: _________________________________________________________

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5. List the steps when making an Elodea slide. __________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

6. If the eyepiece is 10x and the objective lens is 15x, how many times is the image
magnified? _____________

7. Name a chemical that can be used to stain a specimen. _________________________

8. State three steps that can be taken when you are unable to find light when using the
microscope.

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

9. Label the following diagrams.

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