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Identifying Cells Through a Microscope

A Biology Students Guide to Identify Eukaryotic & Prokaryotic Cells Using a Microscope

A Biology Students Guide to Identify Eukaryotic & Prokaryotic Cells Using a Microscope

By: Anna Rocha

TECM 2700 4/29/13 Page

Table of Contents Introduction..pg iii What is a Cell?................................................................................................................pg iv Prokaryotic Cell Characcteristics....pg v Prokaryotic Cell Parts.........pg vi Eukaryotic Cell Characteristics....pg viii Animal Cell Parts.pg ix Plant Cell Parts.pg xi Parts of a Microscope...pg xiii Preparing A Slide....pg xv Locating the Cell on the Slide...pg xvi Identifying the Type of Cell...pg xvii Troubleshooting..pg xviii Index....pg xix

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Introduction

A cell may be difficult to locate when using a microscope. The sample must be precise and correct in order to be viewed with a microscope. The sample may be difficult to identify, even with a good eye. To learn about functions of cells, you have to be knowledgeable in the specific functions of cell parts. Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic cells have different parts, meaning you have to identify the cell before moving on to learn more. Cells take time to identify and understand. A manual is not available to help the students solely on identifying eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, so this manual will help with distinguishing the difference between the two. To use this manual you must follow the directions and illustrations given. The manual is first used to give background information needed to help with identifying cells. You must get familiar with the given information, and then move on when you feel you have a good understanding. This manual should help with all the information needed to identify a cell.

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What is A Cell?
Cells are what make up all the living things around us. Trillions of cells can make up a single living organism. They provide structure, take in nutrients for everyday bodily functions, and have specialized functions. Cells contain important information needed to replicate or separate. They are composed of different parts, each having a specific function to control the overall cell.

Figure 1. An image of common cells

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Prokaryotic Cell Characteristics

Cells that do not have a nucleus protected by a membrane are known as prokaryotic cells. The structures found in this type of cell are difficult to view, even when using a microscope. Common types of prokaryotic cells are bacteria and cyanobacteria. The difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells is substantial. For example, a prokaryotic cell does not have a membrane such as the eukaryotic. Also, they do not have chromosomal DNA; instead the shape is a loop referred to as a plasmid. The prokaryotic cell is mainly found in three different types of shapes: rods, spheres, and spirals. (See figure 2)

Figure 2. Examples of cell shapes

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Prokaryotic Cell Parts

Figure 3. Labeled Prokaryotic Cell

Plasmids- A plasmid is a segment of DNA capable of replication. The plasmid is labeled with a 1. (see figure 3)

Photosynthetic Membranes- The photosynthetic membrane is the part of a plant cell where sunlight is converted to nutrients. The PM is labeled with a 2. (see figure 3)

Capsule- A capsule is a jellylike outer coating of prokaryotic cells. The capsule is labeled with a 3. (see figure 3)

Flagellum- The flagellum is the locomotion organelles of some bacteria. The flagellum is labeled with a 4. (see figure 3)

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Small Free Ribosomes- The small free ribosomes is complexes that synthesize proteins. The small free ribosomes are labeled with a 5. (see figure 3)

Genetic Material- The genetic material, also known as nucleoid is a region where the cells DNA is located. The material is labeled with a 6. (see figure 3)

Plasma Membrane- The plasma membrane is a membrane that encloses the cytoplasm. The membrane is labeled with a 7. (see figure 3)

Food Store- The food store is where food particles are stored until they are being used. The store is labeled with an 8. (see figure 3)

Mesosome- The mesosome is where aerobic respiration takes place. The mesosome is labeled with a 9. (see figure 3)

Murein Cell Wall- The cell wall is a rigid structure outside the plasma membrane. The wall is labeled with a 10. (see figure 3)

Pili- The pili are short, filamentous projections on a bacterial cell used for adhering to other bacterial cell. The pili are labeled with a 11. (see figure 3)

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Eukaryotic Cell Characteristics

Eukaryotic cells are easily identified by its membrane surrounded nucleus. Similar to the prokaryotic cells, eukaryotic cells have structures with different functions. Two different examples of a eukaryotic cell are a plant cell and an animal cell. They both have the same structures, except for three that differentiate them. Plastids, cell walls, and vacuoles are only in plant cells.

Figure 4. Eukaryotic cell example

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Animal Cell Parts

Figure 5. Animal Cell Diagram

Nucleus- The nucleus is a part of the cell containing DNA and RNA. The nucleus is also responsible for growth and reproduction. It is labeled with a 1. (see figure 5)

Vacuole- The vacuole is a space or vesicle within the cytoplasm of a cell, enclosed by a membrane and typically containing fluid. It is labeled with a 2. (see figure 5)

Golgi Body- The golgi body is an organelle active in synthesis, modification, sorting, and secretion of cell products. It is labeled with a 3. (see figure 5)

Ribosomes- A ribosome is a complex that makes proteins. It is labeled with a 4 (see figure 5)

Endoplasmic Reticulum- The ER is active in membrane synthesis and other synthetic and metabolic processes. It is labeled with a 5. (see figure 5) Mitochondrion- The mitochondrion is an organelle where cellular respiration occurs and most ATP is generated. It is labeled with a 6. (see figure 5)

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Cell Membrane- The cell membrane is a semipermeable membrane surrounding the cytoplasm of a cell. It is labeled with a 7. (see figure 5)

Cytoplasm- The cytoplasm is the material or protoplasm within a living cell, excluding the nucleus. It is labeled with an 8. (see figure 5)

Lysosome- The lysosome is in the cytoplasm of most cells containing various hydrolytic enzymes that function in intracellular digestion. It is labeled with a 9. (see figure 5)

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Plant Cell Parts

Figure 6. Plant Cell Diagram

Golgi complex- The golgi complex is an organelle active in synthesis, modification, sorting, and secretion. It is labeled with a 1. (see figure 6)

Cell wall- The cell was is the outer layer that maintains cell shape. It is labeled with a 2. (see figure 6)

Vacuole- The vacuole is a space or vesicle within the cytoplasm of a cell, enclosed by a membrane and typically containing fluid. It is labeled with a 3. (see figure 6)

Membrane- The membrane is a semipermeable membrane surrounding the cytoplasm of a cell. It is labeled with a 4. (see figure 6) Lysosome- The lysosome is in the cytoplasm of most cells containing various hydrolytic enzymes that function in intracellular digestion. It is labeled with a 5. (see figure 6)
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Cytoplasm- The cytoplasm is a material or protoplasm within a living cell, excluding the nucleus. It is labeled with a 6. (see figure 6)

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Chloroplast- The chloroplasts convert sunlight to chemical energy. It is labeled with a 7. (see figure 6)

Nucleolus- The nucleolus is involved in production of ribosomes. It is labeled with an 8. (see figure 6)

Nucleus- The nucleus contains DNA and RNA. The nucleus is also responsible for growth and reproduction. It is labeled with a 9. (see figure 6)

Mitochondria- The mitochondria is an organelle where cellular respiration occurs and most ATP is generated. It is labeled with a 10. (see figure 6)

Endoplasmic Reticulum- The ER is active in membrane synthesis and other synthetic and metabolic processes. It is labeled with a 11. (see figure 6)

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Parts of a Standard Microscope

Figure 7. A standard microscope

Eyepiece: The eyepiece is the lens the viewer looks through to see the specimen. The eyepiece usually has a 10X or 15X power lens. (see figure 7)

Body tube (Head): The body tube or head connects the eyepiece to the objective lenses. (see figure 7)

Arm: The arm connects the body tube to the base of the microscope.(see figure 7) Coarse adjustment: The course adjustment knob brings the specimen into general

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focus. (see figure 7)

Fine adjustment: The fine adjustment knob tunes the focus and increases the detail of the specimen. (see figure 7)

Nosepiece: The nosepiece is a rotating turret that houses the objective lenses. The viewer spins the nosepiece to select different objective lenses. (see figure 7)

Objective lenses: The objective lens is the lenses closest to the slide. A standard microscope has three, four, or five objective lenses that range in power from 4X to 100X. (see figure 7)

Stage: The stage is the flat platform where the slide is placed. (see figure 7) Stage clips: The stage clips are metal clips that hold the slide in place. (see figure 7) Iris diaphragm: The iris diaphragm adjusts the amount of light that reaches the specimen. (see figure 7)

Condenser: The condenser gathers and focuses light from the illuminator onto the specimen being viewed. (see figure 7)

Base: The base supports the microscope and its where illuminator is located. (see figure 7)

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Preparing a Slide The materials you need to prepare a slide are the slides, cover slips, and a dropper. You will use these items to prepare a slide. Follow the next steps to help assist you with preparation.
1. First, take a sample of the cell. (In this example, an onion cell will be used.)

Figure 8. Where you should take the sample from

2. The piece you take should be thin, and small enough to fit on the slide under the cover slip.

Figure 9. The sample being removed

3. Place a cover slip onto the cell. Then you will place the slide under the microscope.

Figure 10. The sample on the slide

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Figure 10. The sample on the slide

Locating the Cell On The Slide 1. When the slide is placed on the microscope, you will put the objective lens at the lowest power objective.

Figure 11. The objective lens

2. Locate the cell, and switch to the next power objective once you find it. 3. Once located in the highest objective, use the course objective knob to focus on the nucleus of the cell.

Figure 12. The fine focus knob

4. You should focus the onion cell in the center, then you will use the fine focus knob (see figure 12) to make the image sharper. You have successfully located the cell.

Figure 12. A cell in focus

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Identifying the Type of Cell

Prokaryotic Cell Does not have a nucleus

Eukaryotic Cell Contains a nucleus

Does not contain a nuclear membrane

Contains a nuclear membrane

Usually bacteria

Contain nucleolus

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The chart above provides illustrations and has two separate columns to help you determine which type of cell is being viewed. Use the microscope as noted to view the specific parts of the cell. Once the parts are viewed, and you know what type of cell is being viewed, you have successfully used the manual to the highest extent.

Troubleshooting Page

Cell parts cannot be distinguished under the microscope

Cut a new thinner sample from the onion

Lost focus of the cell

Use the course focusing knob, then the fine focusing knob

Lost the cell under the microscope

Use the lowest power objective lens to relocated the cell, then move the objective lens higher once it is found Produce a new sample and slide, placing it under the microscope being sure not to put the objective lens too close Remove the cover slip, then replace it being sure to lay it down from left to right slowly Plug in the microscope into the outlet

The slide cracks under the microscope

The sample has bubble under the cover slip

The microscope is not turning on

The microscope bulb is burnt out

Ask your professor to replace the bulb, or the whole microscope

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Index Animal (pg. ix) Cover slip (pg. xv, xvii) Eukaryotic (pg. iii, v, viii, xvii, xviii) Microscope (pg. iii, v, xiii, xv, xvi, xvii, xviii) Nucleus (pg. viii, ix, xii, xvii) Onion (pg. xv, xvi, xviii) Organism (pg. iv) Plant (pg. viii, xi) Prokaryptic (pg. iii, v, vi) Replicate (pg. iv) Separate (pg. iv) Shapes (pg. v) Slide (pg. xv, xvi, xvii, xviii)

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