NAME:________________________________________ DATE PERFORMED:____________

GRADE AND SECTION:__________________________ RATING:______________________

ACTIVITY # 3
PREPARATION OF BIOLOGICAL SPECIMEN FOR MICROSCOPIC STUDY

Objectives:
1. Prepare biological specimens using wet mounting and staining.
2. Manipulate the microscope to observe specimens under the LPO and HPO.
3. Identify the parts of plant and animal cells.
4. Differentiate the plant and animal cells as viewed in the compound microscope.
5. Use the microscope properly.

Material:
Compound light microscope, glass slide, pair of scissors, onion skin, razor blade, methylene
blue solution, toothpick, medicine dropper, water, roll of tissue
Procedure:
A. Preparing plant specimen for microscopic study using wet mounting
1. Get the microscope assigned to your group.
2. Carry the microscope with one hand at the handle. Support the base with the other
hand.
3. Put the microscope gently on the laboratory table at least 5 cm away from the edge
of the table.
4. Wipe the microscope with a soft cloth or tissue paper. For lenses, use lens paper
5. Using a sharp razor blade, peel off a thin layer of the onion skin
6. Make a wet mount.
7. Examine the specimen under the LPO. Draw at least three (3) cells.
8. Observe the leaf using HPO. (Caution: Do not move the coarse adjustment when
observing under the HPO. Use the fine adjustment to obtain a sharp image). Draw
one cell and label your drawing. It should contain the following parts: Cell Wall,
Cytoplasm, Guard Cell, Stomata, Chloroplast

LPO: Magnification: _____________ HPO: Magnification: _____________

DIVISION TRAINING ON LABORATORY TECHNIQU ES AND PROTOCOL

APRIL 10-12, 2018
 B. Preparing Human Cheek Cells for Microscopic Study using Staining
1. Gargle with water before getting the cheek cells.
2. With the dull end of the clean toothpick, gently scrape off the inner lining of your
cheek.
3. Add a drop of water on a glass slide.
4. Rinse the part of the toothpick with cheek cells on the water on the slide.
5. Add a drop of methylene blue solution (Ask assistance from your teacher.) Wait
for one minute before covering the stained cheek cells
6. Place the coverslip on the glass slide and use tissue paper to remove excess
liquid.
7. Observe under the LPO and draw at least 3 cells.
8. Switch to HPO and draw one cell and label. Your drawing should include the
following: Cell membrane, Cytoplasm and Nucleus

LPO: Magnification: _____________ HPO: Magnification: _____________

Guide Questions:
1. What is the shape of the plant cell you have observed?
_______________________________________________________________
2. What is the shape of the human cheek cell you have observed?
_______________________________________________________________
3. How are plant and animal cells similar in structure?
_______________________________________________________________
4. How are plant and animal cells different in structure?
_______________________________________________________________
5. Why are stains such as methylene blue used when observing cells under the microscope?
_______________________________________________________________
6. What do you call the kidney-like structures you have observed in the plant cell specimen?
What is their function?
_______________________________________________________________
7. Why is it possible to easily collect cells by gently scrapping the inside of your cheek?
_____________________________________________________________________

DIVISION TRAINING ON LABORATORY TECHNIQU ES AND PROTOCOL

APRIL 10-12, 2018