Plant Cell Lab
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Scientific Thinking Standard I: Understand the processes of scientific investigations and use inquiry and scientific ways of observing, experimenting, predicting, and validating to think critically.
Performance Objective: Use graphic representations (e.g., charts, graphs, tables, labeled diagrams) to present data and produce explanations for investigations.
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Demonstration: This lab will require using a microscope to view plant cells. The teacher will demonstrate the handling, use and care of a microscope. Since this is not the first time students have used the microscope, this will serve as a review. She will also model the procedure for using the microscope to view slides. This will serve as a review, but should students have questions, she is available to address them. The next step is to review the basic structures of a plant cell. There will be several labeled replicas of plant cells available for students. The teacher will describe each structure and its function.
Activity: Each student will choose a partner to work with. The teacher may assist in the selection if needed. The student-pair will gather materials, which include a microscope, pre-prepared slides of onion and elodea (water plant) cells, and a student worksheet. Together, they will complete the following activities.
A. Answer the Pre-Lab questions:
1. What is the function of chloroplasts? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________.
2. Name two structures found in plant cells but not animal cells. _______________________________________________________________________________.
3. Name three structures found in plant cells AND animal cells. ________________________________________________________________________________.
B. Use the microscope to complete Parts A and B:
Scientific Thinking Standard I: Understand the processes of scientific investigations and use inquiry and scientific ways of observing, experimenting, predicting, and validating to think critically.
Performance Objective: Use graphic representations (e.g., charts, graphs, tables, labeled diagrams) to present data and produce explanations for investigations.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Demonstration: This lab will require using a microscope to view plant cells. The teacher will demonstrate the handling, use and care of a microscope. Since this is not the first time students have used the microscope, this will serve as a review. She will also model the procedure for using the microscope to view slides. This will serve as a review, but should students have questions, she is available to address them. The next step is to review the basic structures of a plant cell. There will be several labeled replicas of plant cells available for students. The teacher will describe each structure and its function.
Activity: Each student will choose a partner to work with. The teacher may assist in the selection if needed. The student-pair will gather materials, which include a microscope, pre-prepared slides of onion and elodea (water plant) cells, and a student worksheet. Together, they will complete the following activities.
A. Answer the Pre-Lab questions:
1. What is the function of chloroplasts? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________.
2. Name two structures found in plant cells but not animal cells. _______________________________________________________________________________.
3. Name three structures found in plant cells AND animal cells. ________________________________________________________________________________.
B. Use the microscope to complete Parts A and B:
C. Answer the Post-Lab Questions:
1. Describe the shape and the location of chloroplasts. ______________________________________________________________________________________.
2. Which type of cell was smaller - the onion cells or the elodea cells? _________________________________________________________________________.
4. Fill out the Venn diagram below to show the differences and similarities between the onion cells and the elodea cells.
1. Describe the shape and the location of chloroplasts. ______________________________________________________________________________________.
2. Which type of cell was smaller - the onion cells or the elodea cells? _________________________________________________________________________.
4. Fill out the Venn diagram below to show the differences and similarities between the onion cells and the elodea cells.
(The Biology Corner, 2013)