Abstract
The purpose of this experiment was to discuss the general structure and components of the eukaryotic cell, while also learning to observe specimens under a light microscope under various objective lenses. From it, we can see that the low power objective lens has less detail while the high power objective lens has very great detail, allowing us to see the nucleus more clearly when stained with methyl blue solution.
Introduction
The aim is to observe the letter 'e' and cheek cells under the light microscope. Also, to be able to see different cell organelles as we will be observing under different objective lenses and a combination of 3 stains for better visibility. From this, we can postulate that these stains will color the nucleus and enable us to view them; hence, different organelles will absorb these colored stains making them visible. In the same way, we expect to observe these organelles (Elsbernd, 2017).
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For the letter 'e' it was real and inverted as is the property of images in a light microscope (Introduction to cell investigation, n.d.)
Materials
Scissors, letter ‘e’ from a newspaper, coverslip, solution 1(pale green) solution 2 (red color) solution 3(blue color), toothpicks, distilled water, beaker.
Observation of the letter 'e' and slide preparation
Use scissors to cut out the letter "e" from the newspaper. Put it on the glass slide, so it looks like (e). Put a coverslip over the letters, then use the low power objective to focus on the letter. Note the observations.
Procedure for staining squamous epithelial cells
U sing a clean toothpick, gently scrape the inside of your cheek. Smear the swab in the center of the microscope slide for3 seconds, allowing the smear to dry then pour the stain solutions and distilled water into staining jars or small beakers. Slowly, dip then slide into Solution 1 and after for 5 seconds and allow excess to drain, after which, dip the slide into Solution 2 and wait for 5 seconds allowing the excess to drain. Finally, dip the slide into Solution 3 and wait for another 5 seconds. Rinse the slide in distilled water and examine at low magnification.
Results
Letter '' e''
Letter "e" did not appear in the same orientation, rather it flipped. Consequently, when the slide was moved to the right, under the microscope it moved to the left, and when the objective lenses were switched, the image got fuzzy, zoomed in and enlarged.
Cheek cells
The visible organelle is the nucleus, but those that were not invisible were ribosomes, Golgi bodies, lysosomes, centrosomes, and mitochondria. We were not able to see this. Cell walls are not present in human squamous epithelial cells. Besides the epithelial cells, dust and fingerprint stains may be visible under observation. So to visualize the internal organelle structure, we need to use a compound microscope. We cannot use a bright field microscope to observe internal organelles in eukaryotic cells because it has high magnification making it blurry; the wavelength might make the image too bright and that tampers with resolution. The nucleus absorbs more methyl blue than the cytoplasm, making it more visible.
Conclusion
From the results, we can see that indeed we can observe organelles and images under a microscope and also have it under different magnification. Elsbernd postulates that some organelles can be seen while others cannot, even when stained as in the case of the nucleus being the only distinct organelle (Elsbernd, 2017). Proper cleaning the objective lens and slides, will help avoid observing fingerprints and dust particles that look like organisms. Living cells contain DNA, and when stained with eosin followed by methyl blue, they become eosinophilic under phagocyte action, thus taking up a pink color, but cytoplasm has no DNA thus no action This experiment is easy and helps students learn how to use a microscope and also observe different cell structures. (Keiran, 2001)
References
Elsbernd, G. (2017). Cheek Cells Under the Microscope - Requirements, Preparation, and Staining. Retrieved from https://www.microscopemaster.com/cheek-cells-microscope.html
Introduction to cell investigation. (n.d.).
Keiran, J. (2001). Histological and Histochemical Methods - Theory and Practice.
