Explore- Cell Structure and Function of Major Organelles

Introduction

Working with a partner, you will complete the following station activities to explore different types of cells. You will have approximately 20 minutes to complete the tasks at each station.

If you have any questions, please ask your teacher.

Station # 1: Microscope Lab

For this activity you will need the following materials:

Microscope
Microscope Observation Worksheet
Two Glass Slides
Two Cover Slips
Iodine Stain
Blue Stain
An Onion
Gloves
Metric Ruler
Tweezers
Scotch Tape

Procedure (as you work you will record your observations on the Microscope Observation Worksheet provided by your teacher.):

Onion Cells:

Peel a 1 cm translucent piece of tissue from the onion.
Place the piece of onion on a glass slide and add a drop or two of the iodine solution. Cover the slide with a cover slip.
Observe the onion cell under both low and high power. Make a drawing of one onion cell, labeling all of its parts as you observe them. Label the nucleus, cell wall, and possibly the chloroplasts.

Animal Cells:

(IMPORTANT: In place of "Cheek Cells", today you will be viewing skin cells from your hand - Make a note on your worksheet, and draw your skin cell observations.)

Wash the underside of your wrist with soap and water.
Take an inch or so of clear adhesive tape and press it onto the back of your hand with your fingertip (to avoid getting a fingerprint on the tape).
Pull the tape off your hand and mount it on the microscope slide, sticky side down. Tweezers are useful for doing this to avoid getting your fingerprint on the tape.
Put on a pair of chemical-resistant gloves.
Lift one corner of the sticky tape and place one drop of methylene blue onto the microscope slide and just under the tape. The liquid will move across the slide under the tape.
Observe the skin cell under both low and high power. Make a drawing of one skin cell, labeling all of its parts as you observe them. Label the nucleus, cell membrane, and other visible organelles.

Microscope Observation Lab Worksheet

If instructed by your teacher to do so, click here to submit work.

Station #2: Cell Structure Sort

CELL STRUCTURE SORT
1. Each student should empty their own Ziploc bag of cell parts, words and functions onto the table.
2. Spread out the cell structures – matching the correct word to the visual picture of the structure to the correct function.
3. Check your results with those of your station partners.
4. Shuffle and Return the cards to the correct Ziploc bag without mixing them with another person’s bag.
5. Quiz each other of the parts of the cell and their functions if you have time remaining.

Station #3: Article - The Cells That Make Us

Read the passage "The Cells that Make Us" and complete the comprehension questions at the end of the article. Answer #1-10 in your science journal.

*Note: Be sure to write in complete sentences so that you can use your responses to study later. 😊

Click the title to access the article: The Cells that Make Us

If instructed by your teacher to do so, click here to submit work.

When instructed by your teacher, proceed to the EXPLAIN page using the tab above.