DOÑA HORTENCIA SALAS BENEDICTO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL – SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
FIRST QUARTER, A.Y. 2022 – 2023
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS STRAND
GENERAL BIOLOGY 1
Name: ________________________________________________________________ Grade & Section: _______________________________ Group: _____
LAB SHEET 2
PROKARYOTIC AND EUKARYOTIC CELLS
OBJECTIVES
At the end of this activity, the learners should be able to:
• Compare and contrast prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
• Enumerate and describe the cell organelles
• Describe the relationship between distinct cellular organelles and important cell functions
INTRODUCTION
According to the cell theory, the cell is the fundamental unit of life. The cell is the smallest and simplest biological structure that
possesses all the characteristics of a living organism. Cells are classified as either prokaryotic or eukaryotic. Prokaryotic cells include
bacteria, and archaea, while eukaryotic cells include plant cells, animal cells, fungi, and protozoans (protists). Eukaryotic cells are
relatively larger compared to prokaryotic cells. However, a microscope is still needed to view both types of cells.
All cells share similarities in some fundamental structures, these structures include the plasma membrane, cytoplasm,
ribosomes, and cytoskeleton. Furthermore, cells contain genetic material which, for eukaryotes, can be enclosed in a defined region called
the nucleus. In prokaryotes, the genetic material is found in a distinct region called the nucleoid.
MATERIALS
The following materials are needed for this activity:
• Compound Light Microscope • Forceps • Methylene blue
• Blade or scalpel • Toothpicks • Iodine – potassium iodide
• Medicine dropper • Anabaena culture • Water
• Glass slide • Pond water sample • 50-mL beaker
• Cover slip • Onion
ACTIVTY
I. PROKARYOTIC CELLS
Cyanobacteria
The largest prokaryotes are cyanobacteria. They contain chlorophyll and accessory pigments for photosynthesis. Cyanobacteria
are unicellular in structure, but they often grow in colonies that are large enough to be seen.
1. Prepare a wet mount of Anabaena from fresh algal cultures.
2. Place a drop of the sample onto a glass slide. Cover the drop with a cover slip. Make sure to minimize bubble formation.
3. Examine the water sample under MPO and HPO. (Note: These microorganisms are motile and tend to slide from one position
to another.
4. Illustrate the structures of the microorganisms on the space provided.
A. Anabaena under MPO B. Anabaena under HPO
Total Magnification: ______ Total Magnification: ______
1. How did cyanobacteria contribute to the present-day composition of our atmosphere?
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II. EUKARYOTIC CELLS
A. Protozoans
Protists or protozoans have a cell membrane supported by a pellicle but lack cell walls. Their nuclei are distinct and they contain
specialized organelles, such as contractile vacuoles, mitochondria, flagella, and cilia. All protozoans produce cysts which are resistant
dormant stages.
1. Prepare a wet mount slide from the pond water sample.
2. Place a drop of the sample onto a glass slide. Cover the drop with a cover slip. Make sure to minimize air bubbles.
3. Examine the water samples under MPO and HPO. Observe the cells and structures seen under the microscope. Draw your
observations in the space provided.
A. Protists under MPO B. Protists under HPO
Total Magnification: ______ Total Magnification: ______
2. How did cyanobacteria contribute to the present-day composition of our atmosphere?
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B. Animal Cells
Animal cells are multicellular heterotrophic organisms that ingest organic matter to obtain energy. Animal cells are highly
specialized in terms of structure and function.
1. Prepare two separate wet mount slides. Put a drop of methylene blue and a drop of water on the center of both glass slides.
2. Gently scrape the inner lining of your cheek with the flat side of a toothpick to harvest the cells. Scrape carefully.
3. Place the tip of the toothpick in the drop of methylene blue and stir. Dispose the toothpick right after. Place a cover slip on top.
Make sure to minimize air bubbles.
4. Repeat steps 1 to 3 using the glass slide, but this time, with water instead of methylene blue.
5. Observe the cells under MPO and HPO.
6. Illustrate and label the cell structure observed for both wet mounts in the space provided.
A. Animal cell under MPO B. Animal cell under HPO
Total Magnification: ______ Total Magnification: ______
3. How does specialization in the structure of animal cells relate to their overall function?
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C. Plant Cells
Plant cells have cell walls that are made of cellulose and resinous materials. Plant cells also have chloroplasts which contains the
green pigment chlorophyll.
1. Prepare a wet mount of onion epidermal tissue. Add a drop of water at the center of the glass slide.
2. Cut a thin membrane from the onion layer. Place it at the center of the microscope using forceps.
3. Add a drop of iodine solution or methylene blue on the onion membrane. Place the cover slip on top. Make sure to minimize air
bubbles.
4. Observe the specimen under MPO and HPO. Draw the images seen using the space provided. Label and illustrate the
organelles that can be observed accordingly.
A. Plant cell under MPO B. Plant cell under HPO
Total Magnification: ______ Total Magnification: ______
4. Describe the mechanism of how chloroplasts function in photosynthesis.
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GUIDE QUESTIONS:
1. What are the main differences between unicellular and multicellular organisms? What makes a cell more specialized than
other cells?
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2. Are plant cells almost the same as animal cells? Why or why not?
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3. How is the arrangement of cells helpful to an organism?
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4. “Absence of structure does not mean absence of function.” Is this statement applicable in comparing cells of unicellular
organism to cells of multicellular organisms? Explain by giving examples.
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