Microscopes
Use a light microscope to observe, draw and label a selection of plant and animal cells. A magnification scale must be included.
Check your understanding with these quick common questions. Use the drop down boxes to see the correct answers.
Control:
Dependent:
Independent:
Light microscope, prepared slide (onion skin or cheek cell), stain.
Ensure specimen is flat and thin, focus carefully, repeat with more than one sample.
Onion cells show cell wall, cytoplasm, nucleus; cheek cells show cell membrane, nucleus, cytoplasm.
Peel a thin layer of onion skin / collect a cheek cell.
Place on a slide and add a drop of iodine to stain cell wall.
Carefully lower a coverslip onto the sample.
Place under microscope, start with low power.
Focus the image, then move to higher power.
Draw what you see with clear labels, sharp pencil and no shading.