2

ANIMAL CELL
STRUCTURE

All living organisms are made up of cells that

form the basic unit of structure and function. The
study of cells constitutes the science of cytology.
There are two basic types of cells: prokaryotic cell, in
which the genetic material is not membrane-bound
and the eukaryotic cell, in which the genetic material is
membrane-bound.
Cells differ in size and shape, which relate to
their structure and function, location in the body and
relationship with the other cells. Under the light
microscope, three parts can be seen in the animal cell:
the cell membrane, the structure that surrounds the
cell and regulates the flow of substances between the
cell and its surroundings;
the nucleus, usually
spherical or ovoid structure that contains the genetic
material; and the cytoplasm, the substance outside the
nucleus where the other structures such as organelles
are located. However, under the electron microscope,
other parts of the cell can be seen, each performing a
specific function.
Objectives At the end of the activity, the student
should be able to:
1. identify the basic structures of a cell
2. identify the different cell shape and relate it to the
cell's function
Materials
microscope
coverslip
toothpick
saline solution
absorbent paper
glass slide
methylene blue
cross section (x.s.) of stomach
x.s. frog's ovary
x.s. frog's testis
frogs blood smear

Procedure
A. Preparing a wet mount of human cheek cells
1. With the blunt end of a clean toothpick, gently scrape the inner cheek lining.
2. Thinly disperse the scrapings in a drop of normal saline solution (0.9% NaCl
solution) on a clean glass slide.
3. Get a cover slip, put one edge of the cover slip on one side and slowly lower it
over the drop of saline solution.
4. Examine the slide first under the LPO, then under the HPO. Locate the cheek
cells. Identify the shape and the distinct parts of the cell.
5. Remove the slide from the stage.
6. Get a piece of absorbent paper, wrap it around one edge of the cover slip.
Using a dropper, add 1 or 2 drops of diluted methylene blue stain on the opposite
edge. The stain will slowly spread under the cover slip as the absorbent paper
gradually absorbs the water. Wipe off excess stain from the slide.
7. Focus the stained preparation under both LPO and HPO.
difference between unstained and stained preparation.

Take note of the

8. Draw and label the image of the cheek cells on the Activity Sheet
B. Shapes of Animal Cells
Cells show complementarities of shape and function.
affected by the location of a cell and its relation with other cells.

The shape is also

1. Examine a prepared slide of cross-section of stomach. Focus on the muscular

layer of the organ and look for cells that are fusiform or spindle-shaped. These
are smooth muscle cells. Label the photomicrograph on the activity sheet.
2. Examine a prepared slide of frog's ovary. Note the spherical-shaped eggs
scattered in the section. Focus an isolated spherical cell with a distinct nucleus.
What structure is very evident inside the nucleus? Label the photomicrograph in
the activity sheet.
3. Examine a prepared slide of frog's blood smear. Focus cells that are oval in
shape and with distinct nucleus at the center. These are the red blood cells.
4. Using the same slide as above, look for cells that are smaller than red blood cells.
They are less numerous and are nucleated. They have no definite shape and

hence are said to be amorphous. These are white blood cells. Identify the cells
on the Activity Sheet.
5. Examine the frog's testis under HPO. Focus the sperm cells/spermatozoa. Note
the whiplike flagellum that gives the cell a threadlike appearance. Label the
photomicrograph in the activity sheet.
References
Warren, D. Dolphin : Biology Laboratory Manual. 4th edition. Copyright 1997. The
McGraw-Hill Co., Inc.
Crescencia, N. Catada et al. Laboratory Manual for General Zoology. Copyright
1979. Vibal Publishing House, Inc.

II. Guide Questions

1. What are the advantages of staining the cheek cells?
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2. Relate the shape of frog's red blood cells and frog's egg cell with their respective
function.
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3. Give the function of the flagellum in the sperm cell.
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4. Enumerate the shapes of cells studied and indicate the organ where they are found.
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