Page 11 - Ranger PT3 2022 science

Science PT3 Chapter 2 Cell as the Basic Unit of Life
How to Prepare a Plant Cell Slide

Aim: To prepare a plant cell slide using epidermis cells of an onion.
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Materials and apparatus: Iodine solution, onion, scalpel, glass slide, cover
glass, filter paper, mounting needle, forceps and microscope.
Procedure Diagram
1. A layer of epidermis from an onion is peeled off using Epidermis of onion
a scalpel.
Form 1

2. The epidermis layer is placed on a drop of distilled
Form 1
water on a glass slide.
Epidermis
of onion
3. The cover glass is slowly placed on top of the glass Mounting
slide using mounting needle to ensure no air bubble get needle
trapped.
Cover glass
4. A drop of iodine solution is dripped on one end of the Filter paper
cover glass and a piece of filter paper is placed on the
other end to draw the iodine solution so that it stains
all the epidermis cells of the onion. Iodine
solution
5. The slide is observed under a microscope using a
low-powered lens followed by a high-powered lens. A
labelled diagram containing a few epidermis cells of
the onion is drawn.

Observation:

Cell membrane Cytoplasm
Cell wall Nucleus
Vacuole
Diagram 2.4 Epidermis of onion
Discussion:
1. Iodine solution is used to stain the nucleus (brownish red) and chloroplast
(dark blue) so they can be seen more clearly.
2. Onion cells have a regular shape.
3. Onion cells contain the nucleus, cell membrane, cytoplasm, cell wall and a
large vacuole.
Conclusion:
Plant cells have a regular shape and contain a nucleus, cell membrane, cytoplasm,
cell wall and large vacuole.

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02 Ranger Science Ting.1.indd 24 30/03/2022 11:27 AM