Plant and Animal Cells Lab Activity

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Free NGSS Life Science Activities

Before we start the Plant and Animal Cells Lab Activity we must discuss the history. Robert Hooke’s discovery of cells left a huge impact on both science and society. The cell theory states that cells are the basic structural, functional, and organizational unit of all living organisms. They can be classified by the presence of the nucleus. A prokaryotic cell doesn’t have one, but a eukaryotic cell does. Some examples of eukaryotes are protozoa, fungi, plants, and animals. These types of cells can be classified according to the organelles that they have, and each of these organelles has a role to perform. Plant and animal cells have similar organelles, while other organelles are unique to each of them.

In this lab investigation, you will compare the structure of a plant cell using an onion, an Elodea leaf, and an animal cell using a human cheek cell.

Plant Cells vs Animal Cells Lab Activity Learning Objectives:

At the end of this laboratory activity, students are expected to:

  • Compare the structure of plant cells (onion) and animal cells (cheek cell).
  • Cite the similarities and differences between plants and animal cells.

Here are the Files Downloadable Files for the Plant Cells vs Animal Cells Lab Activity

Dive into the intricate world of cells by conducting a lab activity that compares and contrasts both plant and animal cells. With engaging activities to strengthen your understanding, this lab activity will bring science to life as you explore the distinct structure of each!

Gather Materials and Prepare Samples

Before you can begin the lab activity, you need to gather the materials needed and prepare samples of both plant and animal cells. To do this, use slides of prepared cell samples or create your own by placing onion skin, cheek cells, or Elodea leaves on slides and using a microscope to view them. With these materials in place and ready to go, you’re ready to start exploring the differences between plant and animal cells!

Examine Plant Cells Under a Microscope

Begin your study of plant cells by placing an Elodea leaf on a microscope slide with a drop of water or stain, then adding a coverslip. View the leaf under low power and move your slide from side to side, looking for rectangular shaped cell walls. When you find them, switch to a higher power of magnification to study the different organelles in each cell. Record what you observe in your lab notebook, then move onto examining animal cells in the same manner.

Identify Features of Plant Cells

Plant cells contain chloroplasts, a large central vacuole, and cell walls made of cellulose. Chloroplasts are the tiny green organelles where photosynthesis takes place, while the large vacuoles store valuable nutrients and act as a defence mechanism against damaging toxins. The cell wall is an additional protective layer that envelopes the entire plant cell, providing support and structure to maintain its shape.

Examine Animal Cells Under a Microscope

Animal cells rely on their organelles to run the processes of the cell, but lack a cell wall and large vacuole. With the help of a microscope, students can observe the differences between these two types of cells side-by-side. Have them take notes as they look through the lens to document their observations and identify any similarities or differences. They will quickly come to understand why these two types of cells have very different functions!

Identify Features of Animal Cells

Have students use their microscopes to carefully identify the features in an animal cell. They should look for organelles such as the nucleus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and plasma membrane. Additionally, they should note absent features such as the cell wall and large vacuole. With these observations made, they will have a basis for comparison when looking at a plant cell next.

Plant Cells vs Animal Cells Lab Activity Materials:

Materials:

  • Microscope
  • Coverslips
  • Slides
  • Lens paper
  • Onion
  • Cheek cells
  • Elodea – an aquatic plant found in aquariums
  • Water
  • Dropper
  • Iodine
  • Methylene blue
  • Toothpicks
  • Forceps
  • Colored pencils

Plant Cells vs Animal Cells Lab Activity Procedure:

1. Make wet-mount slides for the available cell types.

  • Try to look around while on low power. When you find something, you can go up to medium or high.
  • To see one layer of cells, try to adjust to fine focus.
  • Draw what you can see, try to recognize the structures found and label them.

2. For the onion:

  • Remove a scale from the onion.
  • Peel a thin layer of onion from its inner surface.
  • Make a wet-mount slide of the onion tissue, then add 2-3 drops of water.
  • Put on a coverslip, then stain with iodine.
  • Observe, draw what you can see, and label what you can recognize.

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3. For the Elodea:

  • Get one young leaf from the tip of the plant.
  • Make a wet-mount slide of this leaf.
  • Put on a coverslip, and don’t stain.
  • Elodea leaves are two cells thick so you need to focus carefully using fine focus.
  • Observe, draw what you can see, and label what you can recognize.

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4. For the cheek:

  • Gently scrape the inside of your mouth using a flat clean toothpick. Don’t worry if you can’t see anything. You can actually pick up any cheek cell when you scrape.
  • Smear the toothpick on the slide to spread the saliva and cells. You may add a tiny drop of water if the sample is too dry.
  • Put on a coverslip, and stain with methylene blue.
  • Observe, draw what you can see, and label what you can recognize.

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5. Draw what you can see on the attached RESULT SHEET.

6. Answer the discussion questions that follow.

Plant Cells vs Animal Cells Lab Activities Result Sheet:

ONION

Onion Cells Under a Microscope at 40x Magnification

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Onion Cells Under a Microscope at 100x Magnification

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Onion Under a Microscope at 400x Magnification

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ELODEA

Elodea Under a Microscope at 40x Magnification

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Elodea Under a Microscope at 100x Magnification

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Elodea Under a Microscope at 400x Magnification

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CHEEK

Cheek Cells Under a Microscope at 40x Magnification

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Cheek Cells Under a Microscope at 100x Magnification

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Cheek Cells Under a Microscope at 400x Magnification

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OBSERVATIONS: Complete the table with the structures that are visible during your investigation.

Cell TypeStructures Observed
 

Onion Cell

 

 

Elodea

 

 

Cheek Cell

 

Discuss the following with your students about Plant Cells vs Animal Cells Lab Activities:

  1. Use the Venn diagram below to cite the similarities and differences between a plant cell and an animal cell.
    Plant Cells vs Animal Cells Venn Diagram
  2. Why are stains used when observing cells under the microscope?
  3. Why is a wet-mount preparation better than a dry-mount preparation in observing living cells?
  4. How would you determine if a given cell sample is that of an animal or a plant cell when observed under a microscope?

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