Name______LAB#

Class______Date______

Comparing Plant and Animal Cells Lab

Background Information: All living things are made up of cells. Cells are the basic units of structure and function of living things. There are many types of cell. Whether they are plant or animal cells, most share certain characteristics.

Directions: Use a prepared slide to look at an animal and plant cell. When drawing your diagrams, use a pencil. Draw your cells to scale. It doesn’t matter if you start with part A or with part B. Only take one slide at a time.

Part A: Plant Cell

  1. Using a prepared slide first look at the plant cells (onion) under low power.
  1. Next change the revolving nose piece to medium power and focus the cells.
  1. Do not touch the course or fine adjustment. Next change to high power moving the revolving nose piece only. Do NOT use the course adjustment to make adjustments. Use only the fine adjustment.
  1. Observe the plant cells under high power. Yes, there is more then one cell.
  1. Make a detailed drawing of all of the plant cells as they appear under high power.

Note: You are looking at a few plant cells

  1. Color in your diagram using colored pencils. Neatness does count!
  1. Label the following organelles in one cell:

Cell Wall

Cell Membrane

Cytoplasm

Nucleus

  1. Tell me the magnification: ______

Part B: Animal Cell

  1. Using a prepared slide first look at the animal cells under low power.
  1. Next change the revolving nose piece to medium power and focus the cells.
  2. Do not touch the course or fine adjustment. Next change to high power moving the revolving nose piece only. Do NOT use the course adjustment to make adjustments. Use only the fine adjustment.
  1. Observe the many animal cells under high power. Yes, there is more then one cell. You are seeing about a hundred cells, not just one
  1. Make a detailed drawing of all theanimal cells as they appear under high power.
  1. Color in your diagram using colored pencils. Neatness does count!
  1. Label the following organelles in one cell:

Nuclear Membrane

Cell Membrane

Cytoplasm

Nucleus

  1. Tell me the magnification: ______

Questions and Conclusions: Use Complete Sentences

1. Place a check mark next to the organelles found in the plant and/or animal cell.

Organelle / Plant cell / Animal cell
Cell Wall
Cell Membrane
Cytoplasm
Nucleus
Nuclear Membrane
Chloroplast

2. Which 2 organelles are found only in plant cell?

3. Why is it not a good idea to use the course adjustment when you are looking at a slide under high power?

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