EXPERIMENT NO 1

PLANT CELL

AIM:
To prepare a stained temporary mount of an onion peel and to record observations.

REQUIREMENTS:
Knife, forceps, watch glass, glass slide, brush, needle, dropper, coverslip, blotting paper and
a compound microscope.
Onion, glycerine, safranin solution and distilled water.

THEORY:

Like all plant cells, an onion cell also consists of a cell wall, cell membrane, nucleus and a
large vacuole surrounded by cytoplasm.
The nucleus is present at the periphery of each cell. A prominent vacuole surrounded by
cytoplasm, is present in the center of each cell.
The presence of cell wall and a large vacuole are the key features to identify a
plant cell.

PROCEDURE:
1. Pour some distilled water in a watch glass.
2. Cut an onion laterally into small pieces using a knife.
3. Peel off a leaf from a piece of onion and take out a piece of transparent onion peel
(epidermis) from the inner surface of the leaf using a forcep.
4. Place the epidermis in the watch glass containing distilled water.
5. Take a few drops of safranin solution using a dropper and pour it on the onion peel.
6.Let the peel remain in the safranin solution for 1 minute, so that the peel is stained properly.
7. Now pour 2-3 drops of glycerine at its centre with the help of a dropper.
8. Take a coverslip and place it gently over the peel by using a needle avoiding air bubbles.
9.Gently press the coverslip with needle for even spreading of glycerine.
10.Remove the extra stain with blotting paper and place it under a microscope.
11.Record your observation.
OBSERVATION
Plant cells shows the following:
 It consists of cell wall.
 The nucleus is prominent and present at the periphery of cytoplasm.
 Large vacuoles are seen at the centre of the cell.
 A lightly stained cytoplasm is present in the cell.

PRECAUTIONS
 Use dilute stain for staining.
 Avoid the formation of air bubbles while placing the coverslip on the slide.
 Take very thin peel of onion to get a single layer of cells, no overlapping of cells
should be seen.
 Use dry and clean slide, wipe out excess of stain or glycerine using a blotting paper.

CONCLUTION
In all the observed cells, cell walls and large vacuoles were present. Thus these cells are
plant cells.
STRUCTURE OF ONION CELL
 VIVA VOICE

1. Name the stain that is used to stain cells of an onion peel?

Ans : Safranin solution

2. Which part of the onion cell takes the least stain?

Ans : Vacuole

3. Why do we use glycerine for mounting the peel?

Ans : We use glycerine because it avoids the dehydration of the cells.

4. Why is the cover slip placed on the mounting on a slide very gently?
Ans: This is done to avoid the formation of air bubbles into the slide.

5. Which part of the cell is deeply stained?

Ans: Nucleus

6. Why is staining of material necessary.

Ans : To visualize the internal structures of the cell clearly.

7. Which part of the plant cell is filled with cell sap?

Ans : Vacuole

8. Why is there a rigid outer cell wall in a plant cell?

Ans : The rigid outer cell wall gives a definite shape and protects the plant cell.

9. What is the ground substance of a living cell?

Ans : The ground substance of a living cell is cytoplasm.

10. Why don't we see other cell organelles like Mitochondria, Endoplasmic Reticulum, etc?
Ans : These cell organelles do not get stained with safranin, so they are no Also, their sizes
are so small that they cannot be seen under a compound microscope.
 EXPERIMENT 2
ANIMAL CELL
AIM:

To prepare a stained temporary mount of human cheek cells and to record the observations
and draw neat labelled diagram.

REQUIREMENTS:

➤ Toothpick, glass slide, brush, needle, dropper, coverslip, blotting paper and a compound
microscope.

➤ Human cheek cells, glycerine, methylene blue and distilled water.

THEORY:

➤ Like other animal cells it does not have a cell wall

➤ It has a dense and a granular cytoplasm surrounded by a semi-permeable cell membrane.

➤ The nucleus is present in the centre of each cell

PROCEDURE:

1. Scrape the inner side of the cheek cell gently using a toothpick to collect

some cheek cells.

2. Place the collected cells on a clean glass slide having a drop of water on it and spread the
scrapping with a needle.

3. Put a few drops of methylene blue on the cells of the slide.

4. Remove excess water and stain from the slide after 2-3 min using a blotting paper

5. Pour 2-3 drops of glycerine at its centre with a dropper.

6. Place the coverslip gently over the peel by using a needle. Avoid entry of air bubbles.

7. Remove the excess liquid and press the cover slip gently.

8. Place this prepared temporary mount on the stage of the compound microscope and view
the slide.
9. Note the observations.

OBSERVATIONS

 Cells with irregular shapes are seen.

 A prominent nucleus is seen in the middle of the cell.
 A thin membrane called plasma-membrane is visible at the boundary of each
cell.
 The cells do not show any intercellular space.
 No big vacuoles and cell wall are seen.

CONCLUSION
The cheek cells are small and polygonal in shape. They are without a cell wall and possess a
distinct nucleus. They have a thin cell membrane.

PRECAUTIONS

 Use unused/new toothpick for scraping of cheek cells.

 Placing of coverslip should be done carefully to avoid air bubbles.
 Avoid overstaining.
 Use clean/dry mounted slide while placing it under the lens of the microscope.
 Avoid overlapping of the cells.
HUMAN CHEEK CELL
 VIVA VOICE

1.Name the type of microscope used to observe the slide of animal/plant cell.
Answer: One should use compound microscope with lens having the magnification of 10X,
40X and 100X.

2.Why do we use stain for mounting the slide?

Answer: The stain makes cell wall, nucleus, cell membrane visible as they take up the stain.

3.Why can’t we see all the cell-organelles under microscope?

Answer: The other cell organelles do not take up the stain and are too small to be seen under
the lab microscope.

4.Give the use of glycerine in slide preparation.

Answer: Glycerine prevents drying of specimen. The material remains wet and do not dry.

5.How many types of lenses are present in a compound microscope?

Answer: It consists of two lenses—objective lens and eyepiece.

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS:

1. How would you describe an animal cell?

2. Why animal cells don't have a definite shape?

3. What is the cell membrane made up of?

4. Why is the cell membrane called as the selectively permeable membrane?

5. Name the dye used to observe the animal cell.

6. Why are few drops of gycerine added to the specimen before mounting the slide?

7. Why do animal cells show endocytosis?

8. How would you differentiate between plant cell and cell based on what you

observe under the microscope?

9. What is a temporary mount?

10. What is the use of dyeing the specimen?

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (MCQs) –PLANT CELL AND ANIMAL CELL

Questions based on Procedural and Manipulative Skills

Question 1:
On observing onion peel slide under low power of compound microscope which set of
structure are clearly seen?
(a) cell wall, cell membrane, nucleus, cytoplasm.
(b) nucleus, cell membrane, vacuole, chromosomes.
(c) cell wall, cell membrane, mitochondria, vacuole.
(d) cell wall, nucleus, vacuole, chromosomes.

Question 2:
Human cheek cells stained in methylene blue and mounted in glycerine were observed with
the help of a compound microscope. The components of the cell which would be seen are:
(a) cell wall, cytoplasm, nucleus.
(b) plasma membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus.
(c) plasma membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, mitochondria.
(d) cell wall, plasma membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus.

Question 3:
The outermost layer of a cheek cell is:
(a) cell wall
(b) cell membrane
(c) cellulose
(d) protoplasm.

Question 4:
The organelle not observed in animal cell is:
(a) nucleus
(b) cytoplasm
(c) chloroplast
(d) plasma membrane.

Question 5:
The cellular component not seen while observing the slide of a cheek cell is
(a) chromosomes
(b) nucleus
(c) cytoplasm
(d) cell membrane.

Question 6:
The shape of onion cells appears
(a) rectangular
(b) pentagonal
(c) square
(d) hexagonal
Question 7:
On examining the onion peel which statement is not correct.
(a) Intercellular space is absent
(b) Intracellular space is absent
(c) Intracellular space is present
(d) Nucleus is present.

Question 8:
In the cells of the onion peel the nucleus is seen:
(a) in the centre of the cell
(b) on one side of the cell
(c) in the comer of the cell
(d) near the plasma membrane.

Question 9:
Which of the following are the identifying features of human cheek cells you will find in a
slide given to you by your teacher?
(a) The large vacuole appears in each cell
(b) The cells are irregular flat with cytoplasm
(c) The cells are large enough lying side by side with cell walls.
(d) The cells are irregular and flat with central nucleus and cytoplasm.

Question 10:
One of the following is not visible in cheek cells.
(a) cell membrane
(b) nucleus
(c) cell wall
(d) cytoplasm.

Question 11:
The correct feature of cheek epithelium is:
(a) absence of cell wall, nucleus and plastid
(b) absence of nucleus, plastids
(c) absence of cell wall, plastids and intercellular space.
(d) absence of intercellular space and nucleus.

Question 12:
Cells are stained to:
(a) make the cells turgid
(b) nourish the cell
(c) help in cell multiplication
(d) highlight the cell organelles.
 EXPERIMENT NO: 3
PLANT TISSUES

AIM:
From prepared slides, identify Parenchyma, Collenchyma and Sclerenchyma tissues
of the plants and draw their labelled diagrams.

REQUIREMENTS:
● Compound microscope
● Prepared slides of Parenchyma, Collenchyma and Sclerenchyma tissues.

THEORY:
A group of cells that have common origin, similar structure and perform a definite function
is called a tissue.

PARENCHYMA TISSUE:
These are found in soft parts of the plants such as flowers, leaves, stem and roots. The
functions of these tissues are photosynthesis, storage and also to help the plants to float on
water.

COLLENCHYMA TISSUE:
These are present beneath the epidermis in stem, petiole and leaves. It provides
mechanical support, protection and flexibility to plant organs.

SCLERENCHYMA TISSUE:
These tissues consist of thick walled dead cells which are long and narrow. These cells
have hard and extremely thick cell wall due to lignin deposition. The function of these
tissues is to provide protection and support to the plant.
PROCEDURE:
● Focus the prepared slides of parenchyma, collenchyma and sclerenchyma tissues
one by one under low power of microscope.
● Observe their characteristic features.
● Draw labelled diagrams and note down your observations.

OBSERVATION:
A. Parenchyma tissue: -
Identifying features:
● Parenchyma cells are isodiametric, oval or round in shape.
● They have a thin cell wall.
● Each cell has a prominent nucleus, a large Vacuole and peripheral cytoplasm.
● Intercellular spaces are present in between the parenchyma cells.

B. Collenchyma tissue: -
Identifying features:
● Cells appear oval, circular or polygonal in cross section.
● Each cell has a prominent nucleus, peripheral cytoplasm with central vacuole.
● Cell wall shows thickening due to deposition of cellulose and pectin.
● Intercellular spaces are either absent or much reduced.

C. Sclerenchyma tissue: -
Identifying features:
● Cells appear polygonal in transverse section.
● Cells are dead and devoid of protoplasm.
● Cells have a thick lignified cell wall perforated with pits.
● Cells are closely packed, hence there is no intercellular space.
● Nucleus is absent in all the cells.
Conclusions: -
1. As the cells are thin-walled, isodiametric and have intercellular spaces it is
confirmed that the slide (A) Contains parenchyma tissue.

2. As the cells are oval, circular or polygonal and have thickening at corners, it is
confirmed that the slide (B) contains collenchyma tissue.
3. As the cells are thick-walled, highly lignified with little or no protoplasm andnucleus
is absent, it is confirmed that the slide (C) contains sclerenchyma tissue.
PARENCHYMA TISSUES :
COLLENCHYMA TISSUES

SCLERENCHYMA TISSUES
VIVA – VOCE

1. In which part of plant tissue do we find sufficient intercellular spaces?

Ans: Parenchyma tissue

2. What is the major constitution of the cell wall in plants? \

Ans: Cellulose

3. Where is parenchyma found in a plant body?

Ans: It is found in soft parts of the plants such as flowers, leaves, stems and roots.

4. Are the cells of collenchyma’s living or dead?

Ans: Living

5. Which tissue provides flexibility to plants?

Ans: Collenchyma

6. Which type of tissue is Collenchyma?

Ans: Simple permanent tissue

7. Which plant tissue is present in the seed coat of almond and makes it very hard?
Ans: Sclerenchyma

8. Name the chemical substance deposited in the walls of Sclerenchyma tissue.

Ans: Lignin

9. Mention the main function of sclerenchyma tissue.

Ans: To provide mechanical support and strength.

10. Which plant tissues are used to make ropes?

Ans: Sclerenchyma tissue.
 EXPERIMENT NO 4
ANIMAL TISSUE

AIM
To identify striated, smooth, cardiac muscles and nerve cells in animals, from prepared
(permanent) slides and to draw their labelled diagrams.

MATERIALS REQUIRED
*Permanent slides of striated, smooth, cardiac muscles and nerve cell.
*A compound microscope.

PROCEDURE

1. Place the compound microscope where proper light can be received and
reflected on the slide.
2. Place the permanent slides one by one. Observe its structure and draw
diagrams.

OBSERVATIONS –

 STRIATED MUSCLE - IDENTIFICATION

 These muscles show long, cylindrical, unbranched structure.
 The cells are multinucleated.
 Nucleus is found in peripheral region.
 The muscles show alternate dark and light bands.
 The cells are surrounded and held by connective tissue.
 These muscles are found in voluntary organs like limbs etc.

FUNCTION:
Theses muscles are attached to bones and hence help in the movement of different body
parts.
SMOOTH MUSCLE FIBRES/ NON STRIATED MUSCLE CELLS –
IDENTIFICATION

The cells are spindle-shaped and unbranched.

Cells are uninucleated.
Nucleus is centrally located.
These muscles do not show dark and light bands (striations).
Non-striated muscles are involuntary in nature.
They are found in blood vessels and in alimentary canal.
FUNCTION:
Theses muscles cause movement in visceral organs.

CARDIAC MUSCLE FIBRES –IDENTIFICATION

 Cardiac muscle cells are long, branched and uninucleate.
 They show alternate faint light and dark bands.
 These are involuntary muscles.
 They are seen only in the walls of heart.
 They are non-tiring muscles and responsible for rhythmic contraction and
relaxation of heart muscles throughout life.

FUNCTION-
These muscles cause rhythmic cardiac movements.

NERVE CELLS- IDENTIFICATION

 A nerve cell has an elongated structure.
 Each nerve cell shows three parts – cell body (cyton), axon and dendrites.
 The cell body has granular cytoplasm and a nucleus in its centre.
 Many thin cytoplasmic projections emerging from cell body called dendrites are
seen.
 A long thread-like structure called axon arises from cyton.
 Axon may or may not be covered with myelin sheath.

FUNCTION –
Nerve cells form nerves which carry messages to and from different body parts.
STRIATED MUSCLE / SKELETAL MUSCLES

SMOOTH MUSCLES / UNSTRIATED MUSCLE

CARDIAC MUSCLE

NERVE CELL
 VIVA VOCE

1. What is a cell?
Ans. A cell is the structural and functional unit of life.

2. What do you mean by tissue?

Ans. Tissue is a group of cells which are similar in origin, structure and
function.

3. Why are smooth muscles called unstriated muscles?

Ans. Because smooth muscles do not have dark and light bands.

4. How are smooth muscle fibers placed in an organ?

Ans. As sheets or sphincters.

5. How is peristaltic movement created in the alimentary canal?

Ans. By the contraction and relaxation of smooth muscles.

6. How is the amount of light entering the eye controlled?

Ans. By the movement of involuntary muscles of iris and ciliary body of the eye.

7. How does accommodation of eye lens occur?

Ans. By the contraction and relaxation of involuntary muscles of ciliary body.

8. Where are cardiac muscle found?

Ans.In the wall of heart.

9. What is the nature of cardiac muscle?

Ans. Involuntary.

10. What is the position of nuclei in cardiac muscle?Ans.

Ans. Nuclei are centrally located.

11. What is the function of intercalated discs in cardiac muscles?

Ans. They act as boosters for the wave of muscle contraction.

12. What is the shape of cardiac muscle?

Ans. Cylindrical.

13. How many nuclei are found in a cardiac muscle?

Ans.One nucleus.
14. What are the features of striated muscle? Where do we find these in ourbody?
Ans. (a) Each striated muscle is long, cylindrical and unbranched.
(b) Each cell is multinucleated.
(c) Each striated muscle shows alternate light and dark bands.
(d) These muscles are under our will power, i.e., these are voluntaryin
nature.
(e) These muscles are found attached to bones in our limbs.

15. What is the structure of smooth muscle?

Ans.(a) The fibres of smooth muscles are spindle-shaped with pointed ends.
(b) They are without striations, i.e., light and dark bands.
(c) They are uninucleated with centrally located nucleus.

16. Mention the functions of skeletal muscles in our body

Ans. They help in body movement and locomotion.

17. What are the unique feature of cardiac muscles?

Ans. Structurally, cardiac muscles have faint striations of light and dark bands.
Functionally, cardiac muscles are like involuntary muscles as they do notwork
under our will.

18. What are the features observed in neuron?

Ans. Each neuron has three main parts:
(a) Cell body or cyton which has a prominent nucleus and cytoplasm.
(b) Axon - a long branch given out by the cell body.
(c) Dendrons and dendrites - Cell body gives out several branches called
dendrons which further divide to form dendrites.

19. Name a fluid connective tissue.

Ans : Blood, lymph.

20. Mention the function of skeletal muscles in our body.

Ans: Skeletal muscles are used for locomotion, movement of limbs, lifting anddoing
muscular task.
PRACTICAL BASED QUESTIONS
Multiple Choice Questions- PLANT AND ANIMAL TISSUE

Question 1:
The cells appear elongated, tapering at ends as observed under a microscope. It is
(a) striped muscle.
(b) sclerenchyma fibre.
(c) nerve cell.
(d) parenchyma.

Question 2:
A student identified the following figure as striped muscles because of

(a) light and dark striations and is uninucleated.

(b) light and dark striations and is multinucleated.
(c) has no striations and is uninucleated.
(d) has no striations and is multinucleated.

Question 3:
In the figure of neuron, X can be identified as

(a) Dendron
(b) axon
(c) dendrite
(d) cell body

Question 4:
Smooth muscle fibres are
(a) spindle shaped, unbranched, non-striated, multinucleate and involuntary.
(b) spindle shaped, unbranched, unstriated, uninucleate and involuntary.
(c) cylindrical, striated unbranched, multinucleate and voluntary.
(d) cylindrical, unbranched, non-striated, multinucleate and involuntary.

Question 5:
If your teacher asked you to select the slide showing parenchyma cells from a slide box
containing a few unlabelled slides. Which of the following would help you to correctly
identify the slide?
(a) Structure of the cells as seen under low power of the compound microscope
(b) Observing the slide with the help of a simple microscope
(c) A colour of the material on the slide
(d) None of these

Question 6:
You are viewing a prepared slide of striated muscle fibres from cockroach leg. When you
focus the microscope, the striations appear pale and indistinct. To make the striations clearly
visible, you would
(a) slowly close the diaphragm to reduce the light.
(b) remove the mirror to cut out light.
(c) change the eyepiece to increase magnification.
(d) replace the objective to decrease magnification.

Question 7:
On observing a permanent slide under the microscope, a student found the structure without
cell wall. It had light and dark bands. The slide could be of

(a) nerve cell.

(b) striated muscle.
(c) parenchyma.
(d) unstriated muscle.
Question 8:
You are shown two slides of plant tissues- Parenchyma and sclerenchyma. You can identify
the sclerenchyma by
(a) location of nucleus.
(b) thickness of cell wall.
(c) presence of sarcolemama
(d) position of vacuoles.

Question 9:
The undifferentiated, actively dividing cells come under the category of
(a) parenchyma.
(b) collenchyma.
(c) meristematic
(d) permanent.

Question 10:
A student prepared a slide of thigh muscles of cockroach. Which type of muscles he would
observe, when slide is viewed under the microscope?
(a) Striated muscles
(b) Non-striated muscles
(c) Both of these
(d) None of these

Question 11:
The stain used for staining the muscle slide is
(a) safranin.
(b) acetocarmine.
(c) iodine.
(d) methylene blue.

Question 12:
Which of the following shows the presence of intercellular spaces?
(a) Collenchyma
(b) Parenchyma
(c) Sclerenchyma
(d) All of these

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