After completing this lab students should be able to:
• Identify cells, cell structures and organelles, from electron micrographs and state the function of each.
• Describe characteristics of specific cells.
• Identify characteristics shared by all cells studied.
• Discuss the evolutionary significance of increasing complexity from unicellular to
multicellular organization using examples seen in the lab. READINGS:
Please note that for various reasons material may be covered in the lab before coverage is given in the lecture. You are therefore required to do the necessary reading of the content before coming into the lab. Required reading for Labs 1 and 2
Taylor, D, J, Green, N.P.O. Stout, G. W. and Soper, R. 1997 Biological Sciences I and 11 3rd. ed. Cambridge Chapter 5 Cells: 5.2 Cells as seen by the light microscope 5.5 Units of measurement 5.6 Electron microscopy 5.7 Cell fractionation 5.8 Ultra structure of plant and animal cells p134- 139 5.10 Structures found in cells p147-159 5.11 Use of hand lens and microscope p159-163 5.12.3 Temporary preparations p 164-165 5.13 Recording by biological drawing p 165 Website – http://www.cellsalive.com
12 Exercise 1 - The Electron Microscope This is to be done at home. Please place in your lab folder and ensure that it is your own work. Introduction
The electron microscope can magnify objects much larger than a light microscope can, depending on the resolving power of the electron microscope. The resolving power depends on the wavelength of light that passes through the specimen. This allows the viewer to see structures of similar size that are close to each other and be able to recognize them as two structures rather than one.
INSTRUCTIONS
Compare the features of the light and electron microscopes (see section in essential text: 5.6 - Electron microscopy). Review the procedures for preparing a specimen for electron microscopy.
TO BE DONE AT HOME. Answer the following questions, insert in your lab folder. 1. List three parts found in both microscopes 2. What is the energy source for the light microscope? 3. What is the energy source for the electron microscope? 4. Outline how the lenses differ for the two microscopes. 5. Describe procedures used to prepare a specimen for electron microscopy.
Exercise 2 - Electron micrographs
Procedure
Carefully study the electron micrographs on demonstration in the laboratory, you may make labelled sketches for revision. Use these images and those in your textbook to complete Table 1.
Organelles/cellular structures: plasma membrane, cell wall, nucleus, nuclear membrane and pore chloroplast, mitochondria, vacuole, Golgi apparatus, peroxisomes, lysosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, flagella, cilia and any other structures typical of eukaryotic cells.
13 Results – PLEASE DO THIS EXERCISE BEFORE SESSION, ensure that it is your own work. Table 1. Characteristics of cell organelles and cellular structures
Organelle/ Cellular Seen using light or only electron Function(s)
structure microscope. (Size in µm where appropriate)
Exercise 3 - Organisation of Cells
Introduction
In this exercise, you will examine features common to all eukaryotic cells; these features indicate their common ancestry. However, despite this unity there is great diversity as all cells are not the same. Some organisms are unicellular with all the living functions carried out by the single cell. Other organisms consist of random, temporary aggregates or clusters of cells. Yet others form clusters that are permanent and composed of the same amount of cells, these are referred to as colonies. Simple colonies do not have groups of cells specialized to carry out a particular function, however a predictable amount of cells stay together each carrying out all living functions. Multicellular organisms have large numbers of cells with specialized structure to function and no one can exist by itself.
Procedure
• Your demonstrator will show you pictures or direct you to other relevant material.
• Understand good microscope techniques.
• Identify structures before you begin to draw them.
• Record your observations by means of biological drawings.
Unicellular organisms
A. Examine a picture of 1. Amoeba 2. Paramecium and 3. Euglena under the compound
microscope.
Draw biological drawings of each specimen and identify the following structures in each specimen; cell membrane, ectoplasm, endoplasm, nucleus, contractile vacuoles, and food vacuoles. Also, for each specimen observed, clearly identify other feature which may be unique to/characteristic of that organism.
14 B. Observe demonstration cards provided for Chlamydomonas and draw a sketch identifying any relevant structures seen. Aggregate and Colonial organisms
Examine the demonstration cards of the following organisms and complete the exercise by following the instructions which follow:
A. Protococcus is a terrestrial green alga. The cells live on groups forming aggregates. Is the number of cells per aggregate constant? Note that there are no cytoplasmic connections between cells.
B. Scenedesmus is common in aquaria and polluted water. The specimen is a simple colony; the cells occur in groups of 4 to 8 cells. Identify the nucleus, vacuoles, cell walls and spines.
C. Volvox is a fresh water aquatic alga. The organism forms a large complex colony consisting of 50 - 50,000 cells. Note that the cells are connected by cytoplasmic strands and some cells are specialized for reproduction. Also view the slide provided.
D. Spirogyra is a filamentous green alga. Examine both the prepared slide as well as the wet mount provided. Clearly identify and label all visible structures.
For specimens A and B, you are required to produce a sketch of each specimen. While for specimen C and D you are required to produce a biological drawing of the slide.
In your drawing/sketch of each organism viewed, clearly identify and label all visible structures.
Multicellular organisms You are required to produce biological drawings of each of the following. Plant cells Observe and examine a diagram of young leaf from an Elodea shoot under the compound microscope. Clearly identify and label all visible structures.
Animal cells
Observe a picture of epithelial cheek cells, stained with methylene blue. Observed under high power magnification. Clearly identify and label all visible structures.
