SCIENTIFIC
July 2019
PAPER
Legazpi City Science High School
Prepared by
Arnel Anthony Fermin Atiaza
Jannel Mendee Calleja
Josie Marie Sobredilla
Angela Valenzuela
STEM 12 Democritus
Legazpi City Science High School July 2019
CELLS UNDER THE
MICROSCOPE
AUTHORS
Arnel Anthony Fermin Atiaza
Jannel Mendee Calleja
Josie Marie Sobredilla
Angela Valenzuela
ABSTRACT
Three different cell samples, namely, the epidermis of the
santan (West Indian Jasmine) leaf, elodea leaf and a sample of
the cheek cell, were examined under the microscope during the
experiment conducted in the Workshop Seminar on Basic
Microcopy and BioTechniques. The epidermis of the santan leaf
were removed from the underside of the leaf while the cheek
cell sample was scraped from the inside of the cell. After
acquiring the cell samples, it was examined and observed using
both the compound light microscope and the digital
microscope wherein the parts of each type of cell were
identified and was compared. Noticeable difference were
recorded and observed once the samples were stained and
examined under the microscope. The cell structure of the
samples from the plant cell were different from the cell
structure of the sample from the cell. The students after a
thorough observation of the epidermis of the santan leaf
noticed the black spots that were the guard cells of the leaf
and the apparent cell wall. The elodea leaf cell sample, after
examining in the compound light microscope, showed numerous
parallel dark green lines and small, light green circles were
recognized as the chloroplasts. Spaces in between each
rectangular cell were the vacuoles of the cells. On the other
hand, the cheek cell, after staining it using a few drops of
betadine, showed the irregular shape of cells and the largest
part of the cell which is the nucleus. It was represented by the
large black spot.
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Legazpi City Science High School July 2019
INTRODUCTION
The scientific paper written about the experiment entitled, “Cells Under the Microscope”, consists of the
methods, results and discussion of the experiment done between the three cell samples. Cells are the
smallest unit capable of performing life functions. It is impossible to see a cell with the naked eye that is why
different equipment are made to cater this need. In the experiment, two microscopes were used. The
compound light microscope uses visible light and a system of lenses to magnify images of small objects. The
digital microscope uses optics and a digital camera to output an image to a monitor. Three cell samples
were identified before the experiment to be examined. The epidermis of the santan leaf, elodea leaf and
the cell from the cheek. The samples were too little to be examined so the students used the two
microscopes to observe and perform the experiment. The digital microscope gave a better picture of each
of the sample than the compound light microscope. The experiment done with the three different cell
samples aims to identify cell parts of each cell sample; epidermis of santan leaf, elodea leaf and the cheek
cell. After thorough examination of the cells, the cells parts identified on each cell sample will be identified
and compared to the other cell parts. The experiment was done as the students were not familiar with the
specific structure each cell sample contain. The results of the experiment will be interpreted and analyzed
to clearly determine distinct cell parts of each sample.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
1. Prepare all the needed materials. Make sure the equipment are
Digital Microscope
functional, the glassware are clean, the samples are ready and the
Compound Light Microscope
ones to perform the activity should wear his/her protective gears.
Santan Leaves 2. Set the compound light microscope where the best light source is
Elodea Leaves and prepare the digital microscope.
Toothpick 3. Extract all the cell samples from the samples.
Tissue 4. Using the scalpel from the dissecting kit, carefully get the
Povidone-Iodine epidermis from the underside of the santan leaf.
Dropper 5. Place the epidermis sample on the glass slide and slowly place the
Glass Slides cover slip on top of the sample.
Cover Slips 6. When the sample is ready, place it on the stage of the compound
light microscope under the scanner lens and observe.
Dissecting kit
7. Change and adjust the microscope from low power objective to
Gloves
high power objective.
Laboratory Gown
8. Observe the sample. Do the same using the digital microscope.
Mask
Record your observations.
Eye protection
9. Remove the glass slide containing the epidermis sample and set it
Record Notebook
aside.
Ballpen
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Legazpi City Science High School July 2019
MATERIALS AND METHODS
10. Prepare the next sample which is the elodea leaf. Just get one small leaf from the plant and carefully
place it on a clean glass slide.
11. Cover the sample slowly with the cover slip and observe it first under the compound light microscope
then using the digital microscope.
12. Record observations.
13. The last sample, cheek cell, should be extracted using a toothpick.
14. Carefully scrape the skin above in the inside of the mouth. The sample should be a thin white film of skin.
15. Place the sample on the glass slide and add a few drops of povidone-iodine to stain the sample using
the dropper.
16. Slowly place the cover slip to avoid formation of bubbles in between the cover slip and sample.
17. Observe the sample under the compound light microscope then next using the digital microscope.
18. Record observations and compare data gathered from the examination.
DATA/DETAIL RECORDED
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DISCUSSION/INTERPRETATION
Using the data gathered from observing and examining the cell samples under both the
compound light microscope and digital microscope, the students found significant
differences between the three cell samples. On the first sample containing the epidermis of
the santan leaf, special features like the guard cells and vacuoles were observed. The
guard cells regulate the rate of transpiration by opening and closing the stomata. The
vacuoles, which were present only in plant cells, store water for the leaves. In light, guard
cells take up water by osmosis and become turgid. Because their inner walls are rigid they
are pulled apart, opening the pore. For the second sample which was the leaf of the
elodea plant, The cells were visible having rectangular shapes because of the cell wall.
The numerous small, green circles surrounding the cells are the chloroplasts. Chloroplasts
are the food producers of the cell. The organelles are only found in plant cells and some
protists such as algae. For the last sample which was the cheek cell, only the nucleus and
the cytoplasm was observed. The large, dark spot was the nucleus. The cytoplasm covers
most of the space inside the cell.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The objectives of the experiment are to know the cell parts of the epidermis of the santan
leaf, elodea leaf and the cheek cell and to compare the different parts of the cells. The
students successfully achieved the objectives of the experiment. The cell parts visible on
the epidermis of the santan leaf were the guard cells and vacuoles, The guard cells
regulate the opening and closing of stomata to facilitate gas exchange and control
transpiration in plants.The vacuoles store water for the plant. The cell parts visible on the
elodea leaf were the chloroplasts, cytoplasm and cell wall. The chloroplasts are the ones
responsible for food production of plants, The cytoplasm were the clear jelly like fluid
containing all the other cell parts and the cell wall gave the cell a rectangular shape. On the
last sample, the cheek cell, only the nucleus and the cytoplasm were visible. The guard
cells, vacuoles, chloroplasts and cell wall are the parts not present in the cheek cell. the
mentioned parts are only visible on the plant cell. All the cell samples contain nucleus and
cytoplasm even though they were not visible to all cells.
It would be better to have more cell samples to be examined under both the two types of
microscope. The cell samples used did show the distinct cell features each cell contains but
it was not enough to see all known cell parts for the plant and animal cells. More animal cell
samples should be used to better distinguish the differences between the cells.
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