1.

ABSTRACT

Microscope is an optical instrument used for viewing very small objects, such as
mineral samples or animal or plant cells, typically magnified several hundred times.
With such power in magnification, it changed humankind in a lot of ways, especially in
helping to study small microorganisms. The objective of this experiment is to learn how
to handle the microscope well. Other than that, through this experiment, it also teaches
how to differentiate between plant cell and animal cell and to identify the structure of
both cells mentioned. The experiment was performed by taking a sample of plant cell
from a thin slice of onion, and the animal cell from the fat of chicken by using cotton
swab. Both specimens were placed on a glass slide and were added safranine solution to
enhance the colour of the cell. The specimens were then looked through the lens of the
microscope with three different magnifications of x4, x10, and x40. The result of plant
cell under x4 magnification was it shows a wide view of the cell. While under x10
magnification, the cell walls can be seen clearly and some nucleus starts to get visible.
Finally for x40 magnification, the nucleus can be seen clearly with the cell structure in a
rectangular shape. As for animal plant, for the x4 magnification, the cell is still a blur in
sight. For x10 magnification, a nucleus can already be seen in sight. Lastly for x40
magnification, the cell structure can be observed clearly with the pattern of the animal
cells scattered all over the place. To conclude this experiment to the end, students
finally got a hold on handling the experiment and it is easier to distinguish between
plant cell and animal cell. To structure of both cell can also be identified easily now.

2.0

INTRODUCTION

Micro which means tiny, and scope refers to view or look at basically explains
the concept of a microscope. Microscope is an optical instrument used for viewing very
small objects, such as mineral samples or animal or plant cells, typically magnified
several hundred times. There are several few different types of microscopes, such as,
dissecting microscope that has lowest magnification, compound light microscope with a
magnification range of 40x to 2000x, and electron microscopes which has the highest
effective magnification compared to all the above.
Over the last several decades, the development of modern microscopes has
evolved from multiple lenses, to be predominantly focused, to light rays, resolution
limit, and magnification (Lipson, 2011). From all these evolutions, the present now
obtain the latest up-to-date technology keeping up with the microscopes. Microscope
these days are better and more efficient in comparison to the microscopes that dates
back to the 1600s (Schmidt, 2014).
Since the resolving power of a microscope also indicates how much
magnification the sample theoretically have, the type of microscope used depends on
the type of observations conducted, thus, it is important to know which type of
microscope fits best with what is being studied.

3.0

OBJECTIVE
1. To learn how to use the microscope thoroughly.
2. To differentiate between plant cell and animal cell.
3. To identify structure of plant and animal cell.

4.0

THEORY

3.1

Microscope

In the field of microbiology, microbiologists cannot possibly look at small organisms

with the naked eye. It will require a tool to help microbiologists study and understand
more about these tiny creatures. Anything that can be looked through the lens of a
microscope is called a specimen. Typically, the nature of the specimen used may dictate
they type of microscope that needed to be use (McDarby, 2012). For dissection (or
stereoscope) microscopes, it is light illuminated. The image appeared that can be seen is
in three dimensional. The function of it is to get a better look at the larger specimen. But
it cannot see individual cells because of its poor magnification (Types of Microscopes,
n.d.).
As for the compound light microscope, it is also light illuminated while the
image that can be seen is two dimensional, compared to the three dimensional
dissection microscope. This type of microscope is commonly used in studies and
laboratories. It can view individual cells and even the living ones. Compound light
microscope has a high magnification power, but has a downside of a low resolution to
the image it portrayed (Types of Microscopes, n.d.). The figure 3.1 below shows an
example of compound light microscope and its parts.

Figure 3.1 Compound Light Microscope and labelled parts

3

Lastly, for the electron microscope, it is typically divided into Scanning Electron
Microscope (SEM), and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). Both these
microscopes are electron illuminated, it can see through really tiny things including
atoms (McDarby, 2012). Table 3.1 below shows the difference between SEM and TEM.
Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)
Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM)
Has high magnification and high resolution
Both are electron illuminated
Gives a three dimensional image
Gives a two dimensional view
Specimen is coated in gold and electrons
Electron beams pass through thin slices of
bounce off to give exterior view of

the specimen studied

specimen
Table 3.1 Difference between SEM and TEM

3.2

Cells

Cells are the basic building blocks of all living things. They provide structure, take in
nutrient from food, convert nutrients into energy, and carry out specialized functions
(What is cell?, n.d.). Cells have many parts, each of them comes with a different
function. The functions of each cell part can be seen in table 3.2 below.
Cell Part
Cytoplasm

Function
Within cells, the cytoplasm is made up of a jelly-like
fluid (called the cytosol) and other structures that

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)

surround the nucleus.

This organelle helps process molecules created by the
cell. The endoplasmic reticulum also transports these
molecules to their specific destinations either inside or

Golgi apparatus

outside the cell.

The Golgi apparatus packages molecules processed by
the endoplasmic reticulum to be transported out of the

Lysosomes and peroxisomes

cell.
These organelles are the recycling center of the cell.
They digest foreign bacteria that invade the cell, rid
the cell of toxic substances, and recycle worn-out cell

Mitochondria

components.
Mitochondria are complex organelles that convert
4

energy from food into a form that the cell can use.
They have their own genetic material, separate from
the DNA in the nucleus, and can make copies of
Nucleus

themselves.
The nucleus serves as the cells command centre,
sending directions to the cell to grow, mature, divide,
or die. It also houses DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid),
the cells hereditary material. The nucleus is
surrounded by a membrane called the nuclear
envelope, which protects the DNA and separates the

Plasma membrane

nucleus from the rest of the cell.

The plasma membrane is the outer lining of the cell. It
separates the cell from its environment and allows

Ribosomes

materials to enter and leave the cell.

Ribosomes are organelles that process the cells
genetic

instructions

to

create

proteins.

These

organelles can float freely in the cytoplasm or be

connected to the endoplasmic reticulum.
Table 3.2 Functions of cell part

5.0

MATERIAL AND APPARATUS

6.0

Microscope
Safranine solution
Animal cell
Plant cell
Glass slide
Cover slip
METHODOLOGY

Plant cells
1. A small piece of onion tissue is peeled off from the onion.
2. The onion cell is placed on a glass slide and a drop or two of safranine
solution was added to the onion cell.
3. The slide was covered with the cover slip.

4. Onion cell was observed through the microscope lens. The lens used for the
experiment is x4, x10, and x40.
5. The result obtained was recorded and taken a picture of.

Animal cells
1. Chicken fat was gently scraped using a cotton swab.
2. The cotton swabs that contain samples of animal cell were placed on a glass
slide and a few drops of safranine solution were added to the sample.
3. The slide was covered with the cover slip.
4. Animal cell was observed through the microscope lens. The lens used for the
experiment is x4, x10, and x40.
5. Result obtained was recorded and taken a picture of.

7.0

RESULT

Magnification
x4

Plant cell

Animal cell

x10

x40

Table 7.1 Results of plant cell and animal cell under magnification x4, x10, and
x40

8.0

DISCUSSION

Through this experiment, each animal and plant cell has been placed under a
microscope and it is seen through three different magnification of lens, which is x4,
x10, and x40.
For the plant cell, a rough overview of the whole plant cell can be seen at the
magnification x4. The cell walls are visible in straight lines with in arranging order. The
safranine solution gives out colour to the specimen, making it easier to recognise the
cell. Meanwhile at magnification x10, the cell wall of plant cell becomes clearer. A few
nucleuses can already be recognized from this magnification. The bubbles that can be
seen at the cell are the result of safranine solution being pressed between the glass slide
and cover slip. Finally, for plant cell at magnification of x40, it can be seen clearly the
cell walls dividing between each cells. Nucleus can also be seen largely and clearly this
time. The arrangement of cells also can be seen as neat and in order.
As for animal cell, at magnification x4, the images of the cell structure is still
not clear. Large pool the safranine solution can be seen from this aerial view of the
specimen. At magnification x10, a large nucleus is seen at the image. The structure of
cell can also be slowly recognized. Different from the structure of plant cell which is
formed align to each other, the animal cell is seen in a scattered, all over the place
fashion. Lastly at the magnification of x40, the structure is more visible compared to
magnification x4 and x10. The cell membrane of animal plant can be observed
surrounding the nucleus. A few other cell membranes are also seen, but without any
nucleus in sight.

9.0

CONCLUSION

From this experiment, it can be seen clearly the difference between plant cell and
animal cell. This biggest distinguish fact is the presence of cell wall in plant cell. The
straight formation of cell walls in plant cell makes it easier to recognise the cell, even at
x4 magnification. The structure of both cell can also be make out with the help of
microscope. Finally, the handling of microscope is also proven to produce in obtaining
results of the images both plant cell and animal cell.

10.0

RECOMMENDATION
Wipe the microscope lens cleanly to obtain clearer results.
Use other type of plant cell such as banana.
Study another animal cell such as from the wall of human cheek.
Use magnification of 100x.

11.0

REFERENCE
Lipson, A. (2011). Optical physics (Cambridge; New York: Cambridge

University Press)
Schmidt, S. (2014, August 11). Introduction to Microscopy - NANSLO Lab
Activity.

Retrieved

March

23,

2015,

from

https://cheo.pbworks.com/w/page/69375513/Introduction%20to%20Microscopy
Types of Microscopes. (n.d.). Retrieved March 23, 2015, from

http://www.cas.miamioh.edu/mbiws/microscopes/types.html
McDarby, M. (2012, January 1). Introduction to Microscopes - Laboratory
Exercise.

Retrieved

March

23,

2015,

from

http://faculty.fmcc.suny.edu/mcdarby/Pages/Lab Exercises/MICINTRO.htm

12.0

APPENDIX