Experiment #1

Title: Cells – Cell Structure

Date: Tuesday,20th,September,2016

Aim: To determine what cellular structures are visible in onion epidermal tissue using a light microscope.

Apparatus & Materials: onion, iodine solution, forceps, dropping pipette, coverslip, microscope slide,
microscope, filter paper, scalpel

Method:
A small square was cut from the section of a provided onion bulb leaf. Forceps were used to
gently peel a small piece of the skin, called epidermis, from the inside of the section. The section of
epidermis was placed onto a glass slide. Forceps were used to spread it out as much as possible. 2 drops
of iodine solution was put onto the section (Forceps were used to spread it flat if it curled into the
drops). A cover slip was placed on the slide at one end of the section and gently lowered onto the
section until flat. Air bubbles were ensured not to be trapped between the cover slip and slide. Filter
paper was used to clean up the slide and then looked at under the low power of a microscope. 3
adjacent cells were drawn and labelled.

Observations: Labelled drawing on drawing page 1 in lab book.

Discussion:
1. Background- only the cell membrane, cell wall, cytoplasm and nucleus could be seen. Most
plants contain chloroplast but the onion bulb leaf didn’t contain chloroplast because chloroplasts
work to convert sun light energy into sugars for the cell to use, called photosynthesis and onions
can’t photosynthesise because it is a plant that is grown in the ground therefore it doesn’t need
chloroplast. The epidermis does many functions, it protects the plant against water loss, regulates
gas exchange through the air, secretes metabolic waste and in its roots it absorbs water and
mineral nutrients. Cells are the basic units of life. A cell is the smallest part of the body which can
exist on its own. Plant and animal cells include, a cell wall, cell membrane, nucleus, cytoplasm,
mitochondria, vacuoles, (only in plant cells)chloroplasts with starch grains.

2. Explanation- Cell wall, a fully permeable non-living structure composed mainly of

cellulose. It is only found in plant cells and gives shape, strength and protection to the
cell. Cell membrane, a selectively permeable membrane consisting of a layer of fat and
protein molecules. It acts as a regulator by controlling which substances can enter and
exit the cell and thus, maintains a constant environment within the cell. Nucleus, a
spherical or ovoid structure located in the cytoplasm. It is surrounded by a membrane, the
nuclear membrane, which is similar to the cell membrane. Inside the nucleus are
chromosomes which are elongated material made up of DNA which can only be seen in
dividing cells. The nucleus controls the activity and characteristics of the cell. The
chromosomes carry hereditary information. Cytoplasm, a clear jelly-like substance
consisting mainly of water. It contains many dissolved substances as well as several small
structures, referred to as organelles. These structures include mitochondria, vacuoles and
 in some plant cells, chloroplasts. Most of the metabolic reactions in the cell occur here.
The water present dissolves and distributes nutrients and waste.

3. Precautions- iodine was tried to be put on slowly so it didn’t waste.

Errors- too much iodine was put on the epidermis, the filter paper was put directly on the
epidermis after the drops were placed and therefore there wasn’t enough iodine to see all the
structures
Limitations- there was little sunlight to use the microscope properly, the bubbles in the epidermis
would not come out and so in the microscope you saw the bubbles.

Conclusion:

1. Cell wall: A fully permeable non-living structure composed mainly of cellulose. It is only
found in plant cells and gives shape, strength and protection to the cell.

2. Cell membrane: A selectively permeable membrane consisting of a layer of fat and

protein molecules. It acts as a regulator by controlling which substances can enter and
exit the cell and thus, maintains a constant environment within the cell.

3. Nucleus: A spherical or ovoid structure located in the cytoplasm. It is surrounded by a

membrane, the nuclear membrane, which is similar to the cell membrane. Inside the
nucleus are chromosomes which are elongated material made up of DNA which can only
be seen in dividing cells. The nucleus controls the activity and characteristics of the cell.
The chromosomes carry hereditary information.

4. Cytoplasm: A clear jelly-like substance consisting mainly of water. It contains many

dissolved substances as well as several small structures, referred to as organelles. These
structures include mitochondria, vacuoles and in some plant cells, chloroplasts. Most of
the metabolic reactions in the cell occur here. The water present dissolves and distributes
nutrients and waste.