Name: ______

LAB: Investigating Animal Cells Experiment

Cells are the basic unit of life, but do you know what cells look like? Do cells all look the same? What is different about a cell from the root of a tree and a cell from my brain? In this lab we will begin to investigate cell structure and explore how those structures affect their functions.

Power Standards:

  • Formulate an understanding of concepts by carefully observing, asking questions, using tools, experimenting and finding proof to support or contradict hypotheses.
  • Connect that the structure of cells affects their function.

Learning Targets:

I can ask testable questions that can be explored through scientific inquiry.

I can use tools (microscope) to observe specimens and make quantitative and qualitative observations.

I can analyze and interpret data to describe how the structure of cells affects their function.

Part 1: Animal Cells – You are an animal…sounds strange, right?!? In this part of the lab you will extractyour own cheek cells. You will do this without any pain. Follow the directions step by step and check them off as you go.

Testable Question:What is the question we are exploring (asking) in this part of the lab?

______

Hypothesis:What is the answer to the question above?

If I extract cells from my cheek, then they will look______

______

Materials:

  • Animal Cell (Cheek)
  • Slide
  • Cover Slip
  • Lens Wipes
  • Dropper
  • Stain (methylene blue)
  • Toothpick
  • Colored Pencils
  • Ruler

Procedure:

□ 1. Clean one slide and one cover slip with lens wipe.

□ 2. Make a “Wet Mount Slide”  Place 1 drop of methylene stain solution in the center of the slide.

□ 3. Gently scrape the inside of your cheek with the edge of the toothpick.

□ 4. Gentlyplace the toothpick with cheek cells in the water on the slide.

□ 5. Place cover slip on top of the cheek cell / stain mixture.

□ 6. Place slide on microscope on focus on the lowest power ocular (objective).

□ 7. Draw what you see exactly as you see itin your field of view.

□ 8. Measure the size of one cell and record.

Total Magnification: ______Size: ______mm

□ 9. Write 1 qualitative observation about the cheek cells onLOW POWER.

______

□ 10. Write 1 quantitative observation about the cheek cells onLOW POWER.

______

□ 11. Change to medium power ocular (objective) and focus the microscope.

□ 12. Draw what you see exactly as you see itin the field of view.

□ 13. Measure the size of one cell and record.

Total Magnification: ______Size: ______mm

□ 14. Write 1qualitative observation about the cheek cells onMEDIUM POWER.

______

□ 15. Write 1quantitative observation about the cheek cells onMEDIUM POWER.

______

□ 16.Change to high power ocular (objective) and focus.

□ 17. Draw what you see exactly as you see it in the field of view.

Total Magnification: ______Size: ______mm

□ 18. Write 1qualitativeobservation about the cheek cells onHIGH POWER.

______

□ 19. Write 1quantitativeobservation about the cheek cells onHIGH POWER.

______

LAB REPORT FORMAT: ANIMAL CELLS

Use this check sheet to make sure you include all parts in your lab report

Remember

1.) Write the subheading (label / title) for each section

2.) Write only on front of pages

3.) Date all pages

4.) Print as neat as possible and do your BEST work!

Sections of Lab Report:

I. Title of Lab

II. Testable Question

Write the question you were investigating

II. Hypothesis:

1.)Write your group's hypothesis

III. Procedure:

  1. BRIEFLY summarize what you did in the experiment

IV. Data and Observations:

Animal Cell Pictures & Observations– cut out and tape into science lab notebook

V. Analysis:Answer the 3 questions in complete sentences

Describe why is it necessary to use methylene blue stain to see the cheek cells.

Compare and contrast how the animal cells appeared as you changed the total magnification.

Identify the structures that you were you able to see on the cheek cell using the microscope. In your answer describe that structure’s function (look up the answer using book or technology).

V. Conclusion:Answer ALL questions in one paragraph. Do NOT just number and answer each question. Be mindful of how your sentences flow.

  1. Start your conclusion paragraph by stating the overall purpose of the experiment. Purpose = why did we do this experiment? (Use the lab handout to help you)

The purpose of the cheek cell extraction experiment was______

  1. Transition to the next sentence by defending if your hypothesis was supported by your observations. Be sure to cite evidence from your observations.

The hypothesis that insert your hypothesis was (supported, partially supported, or not supported.)

Please do not ever use the word “prove” – we do NOT prove hypotheses true in science.

  1. Explain what you learned by conducting this experiment? Be sure to connect this to the purpose of the lab.

By conducting this experiment we learned ______

  1. Conclude your paragraph by describing what could be studied next after this experiment? What new experiment could continue study of this topic?