Experiment 2 : Cell Structure I

Objectives:

1. To prepare specimens for staining and observing

2. To identify and use different stains for the different types of organelles.
3. To correctly draw and label the specimens observed.

Materials:

Prepared slides of pine needle and euglena, Yeast suspension, Rheo discolour leaf,
forceps, lactophenol , iodine solution, slides and cover slips, microscopes, dropper.

Discussion:

1. Discuss the differences of upper and lower epidermis of Rheo Dicolour leaf.

The upper epidermis of the Rheo discolour leaf contains a few stomata when compared to
the lower epidermis of the leaf. The cells are very thin and it allows the sunlight to reach
to the underlying cells. The lower epidermis of Rheo Discolour leaf contains many
stomata for transpiration. The guard cells is used to regulate the opening and closing of
the stomata. Besides that, they control the gaseous exchange between the leaf and the
surrounding atmosphere. The upper epidermis appeared to be greener compared to the
lower epidermis where it contains some purplish pigments as well.

2. Discuss the differences of 2 different staining method of yeast using lactophenol and
iodine. Explain the budding process for yeast.

The yeast stained with iodine are seen more clearly compared to the lactophenol stained
yeast, this is because the iodine solution will stain the glycogen particles present in the
yeast. The budding process in yeast is an asexual reproduction method. A small
protuberance is produced on the yeast of parent cell. After that, it will grow to form a
bud. The parent cell will split the nucleus into a daughter nucleus and migrates into the
daughter cell.

3. Discuss the features you have observed in pine needles.

The pine needle leaf is symmetrical on both sides when observed. The guard cells are also
sunken and attached to the prominent subsidiary cells. Besides that, when being
compared to the other leafs, they have a thicker outer coating, as well as a thicker layer of
protective wax. This is to allow less water evaporate from the tree when due the growth
condition of pine trees in cold winters. The pine needle also have two or more resin duct.
The resin duct is used to protect the plant from foreign harm, such as from insect.
However, the pine needle also have xylem, phloem and mesophyll cells like other plant
cells as well.
4. Describe the features of euglena and explain why it has a flagella.

Euglena is a unicellular, eukaryotic organism. Under a magnification of 400x , the

euglena is seen to be greenish in colour. This is because Euglena also have chloroplast
which contains a green pigment. Thus, they are able to produce their own food through
photosynthesis. The euglena also can consume food through phagocytosis. Euglena
reproduce by binary fission, and during the splitting process, one of the half will keep the
flagella, while the another one will grow a new flagella. The flagella is a whip like tails
that is used for locomotion and propel organism forward, especially in water.

Conclusion:

From this experiment, it is known as cells comes in different variation and sizes. The
organelles might also be different shape and sizes in other cells. In the plant cells, in the
pine needle and Rheo discolour leaf, the stomata can be found in both cells, however the
stomata in pine needles are sunken to the subsidiary cells. Besides that, it is know that
using different stain for staining is important as well as it affects the clarity of the cells to
be observed. For the yeast stained in iodine is observed clearer than in lactophenol.

Reference:

1. https://www.virtualplant.ru.ac.za , accessed on 29 October 2016

2. http://www.biology-pages.info/L/Leaf.html , accessed on 29 October 2016

3.http://capricorn.bc.edu/bi204/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/2-meet-the-yeast.pdf,
accessed on 29 October 2016

4. https://global.britannica.com/science/Euglena , accessed on 30 October 2016

5. Jean Dufrenoy , Nov., 1918. Pine Needles, Their Significance and History Botanical
Gazette , Vol. 66, No. 5, pp. 439

6. http://www.k-state.edu/organismic/gymnosperms.htm , accessed on 11 November 2016