1.0ABSTRACTMicroscope is an optical instrument used for viewing very small objects, such as mineral samples or animal or plant cells, typically magnified several hundred times. With such power in magnification, it changed humankind in a lot of ways, especially in helping to study small microorganisms. The objective of this experiment is to learn how to handle the microscope well. Other than that, through this experiment, it also teaches how to differentiate between plant cell and animal cell and to identify the structure of both cells mentioned. The experiment was performed by taking a sample of plant cell from a thin slice of onion, and the animal cell from the fat of chicken by using cotton swab. Both specimens were placed on a glass slide and were added safranine solution to enhance the colour of the cell. The specimens were then looked through the lens of the microscope with three different magnifications of x4, x10, and x40. The result of plant cell under x4 magnification was it shows a wide view of the cell. While under x10 magnification, the cell walls can be seen clearly and some nucleus starts to get visible. Finally for x40 magnification, the nucleus can be seen clearly with the cell structure in a rectangular shape. As for animal plant, for the x4 magnification, the cell is still a blur in sight. For x10 magnification, a nucleus can already be seen in sight. Lastly for x40 magnification, the cell structure can be observed clearly with the pattern of the animal cells scattered all over the place. To conclude this experiment to the end, students finally got a hold on handling the experiment and it is easier to distinguish between plant cell and animal cell. To structure of both cell can also be identified easily now.

2.0 INTRODUCTION

Micro which means tiny, and scope refers to view or look at basically explains the concept of a microscope. Microscope is an optical instrument used for viewing very small objects, such as mineral samples or animal or plant cells, typically magnified several hundred times. There are several few different types of microscopes, such as, dissecting microscope that has lowest magnification, compound light microscope with a magnification range of 40x to 2000x, and electron microscopes which has the highest effective magnification compared to all the above.Over the last several decades, the development of modern microscopes has evolved from multiple lenses, to be predominantly focused, to light rays, resolution limit, and magnification (Lipson, 2011). From all these evolutions, the present now obtain the latest up-to-date technology keeping up with the microscopes. Microscope these days are better and more efficient in comparison to the microscopes that dates back to the 1600s (Schmidt, 2014).Since the resolving power of a microscope also indicates how much magnification the sample theoretically have, the type of microscope used depends on the type of observations conducted, thus, it is important to know which type of microscope fits best with what is being studied.

3.0 OBJECTIVE

1. To learn how to use the microscope thoroughly.2. To differentiate between plant cell and animal cell.3. To identify structure of plant and animal cell.

4.0 THEORY3.1 MicroscopeIn the field of microbiology, microbiologists cannot possibly look at small organisms with the naked eye. It will require a tool to help microbiologists study and understand more about these tiny creatures. Anything that can be looked through the lens of a microscope is called a specimen. Typically, the nature of the specimen used may dictate they type of microscope that needed to be use (McDarby, 2012). For dissection (or stereoscope) microscopes, it is light illuminated. The image appeared that can be seen is in three dimensional. The function of it is to get a better look at the larger specimen. But it cannot see individual cells because of its poor magnification (Types of Microscopes, n.d.). As for the compound light microscope, it is also light illuminated while the image that can be seen is two dimensional, compared to the three dimensional dissection microscope. This type of microscope is commonly used in studies and laboratories. It can view individual cells and even the living ones. Compound light microscope has a high magnification power, but has a downside of a low resolution to the image it portrayed (Types of Microscopes, n.d.). The figure 3.1 below shows an example of compound light microscope and its parts.

Figure 3.1 Compound Light Microscope and labelled partsLastly, for the electron microscope, it is typically divided into Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). Both these microscopes are electron illuminated, it can see through really tiny things including atoms (McDarby, 2012). Table 3.1 below shows the difference between SEM and TEM.Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM)

Has high magnification and high resolution

Both are electron illuminated

Gives a three dimensional imageGives a two dimensional view

Specimen is coated in gold and electrons bounce off to give exterior view of specimenElectron beams pass through thin slices of the specimen studied

Table 3.1 Difference between SEM and TEM

3.2CellsCells are the basic building blocks of all living things. They provide structure, take in nutrient from food, convert nutrients into energy, and carry out specialized functions (What is cell?, n.d.). Cells have many parts, each of them comes with a different function. The functions of each cell part can be seen in table 3.2 below.Cell PartFunction

CytoplasmWithin cells, the cytoplasm is made up of a jelly-like fluid (called the cytosol) and other structures that surround the nucleus.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)This organelle helps process molecules created by the cell. The endoplasmic reticulum also transports these molecules to their specific destinations either inside or outside the cell.

Golgi apparatusThe Golgi apparatus packages molecules processed by the endoplasmic reticulum to be transported out of the cell.

Lysosomes and peroxisomesThese organelles are the recycling center of the cell. They digest foreign bacteria that invade the cell, rid the cell of toxic substances, and recycle worn-out cell components.

MitochondriaMitochondria are complex organelles that convert energy from food into a form that the cell can use. They have their own genetic material, separate from the DNA in the nucleus, and can make copies of themselves.

NucleusThe nucleus serves as the cells command centre, sending directions to the cell to grow, mature, divide, or die. It also houses DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), the cells hereditary material. The nucleus is surrounded by a membrane called the nuclear envelope, which protects the DNA and separates the nucleus from the rest of the cell.

Plasma membraneThe plasma membrane is the outer lining of the cell. It separates the cell from its environment and allows materials to enter and leave the cell.

RibosomesRibosomes are organelles that process the cells genetic instructions to create proteins. These organelles can float freely in the cytoplasm or be connected to the endoplasmic reticulum.

Table 3.2 Functions of cell part

5.0 MATERIAL AND APPARATUS

Microscope Safranine solution Animal cell Plant cell Glass slide Cover slip

6.0 METHODOLOGYPlant cells1. A small piece of onion tissue is peeled off from the onion.2. The onion cell is placed on a glass slide and a drop or two of safranine solution was added to the onion cell.3. The slide was covered with the cover slip.4. Onion cell was observed through the microscope lens. The lens used for the experiment is x4, x10, and x40.5. The result obtained was recorded and taken a picture of.

Animal cells1. Chicken fat was gently scraped using a cotton swab.2. The cotton swabs that contain samples of animal cell were placed on a glass slide and a few drops of safranine solution were added to the sample.3. The slide was covered with the cover slip.4. Animal cell was observed through the microscope lens. The lens used for the experiment is x4, x10, and x40.5. Result obtained was recorded and taken a picture of.

7.0 RESULTMagnificationPlant cellAnimal cell

x4

x10

x40

Table 7.1 Results of plant cell and animal cell under magnification x4, x10, and x40

8.0 DISCUSSIONThrough this experiment, each animal and plant cell has been placed under a microscope and it is seen through three different magnification of lens, which is x4, x10, and x40.For the plant cell, a rough overview of the whole plant cell can be seen at the magnification x4. The cell walls are visible in straight lines with in arranging order. The safranine solution gives out colour to the specimen, making it easier to recognise the cell. Meanwhile at magnification x10, the cell wall of plant cell becomes clearer. A few nucleuses can already be recognized from this magnification. The bubbles that can be seen at the cell are the result of safranine solution being pressed between the glass slide and cover slip. Finally, for plant cell at magnification of x40, it can be seen clearly the cell walls dividing between each cells. Nucleus can also be seen largely and clearly this time. The arrangement of cells also can be seen as neat and in order.As for animal cell, at magnification x4, the images of the cell structure is still not clear. Large pool the safranine solution can be seen from this aerial view of the specimen. At magnification x10, a large nucleus is seen at the image. The structure of cell can also be slowly recognized. Different from the structure of plant cell which is formed align to each other, the animal cell is seen in a scattered, all over the place fashion. Lastly at the magnification of x40, the structure is more visible compared to magnification x4 and x10. The cell membrane of animal plant can be observed surrounding the nucleus. A few other cell membranes are also seen, but without any nucleus in sight.

9.0 CONCLUSIONFrom this experiment, it can be seen clearly the difference between plant cell and animal cell. This biggest distinguish fact is the presence of cell wall in plant cell. The straight formation of cell walls in plant cell makes it easier to recognise the cell, even at x4 magnification. The structure of both cell can also be make out with the help of microscope. Finally, the handling of microscope is also proven to produce in obtaining results of the images both plant cell and animal cell.10.0 RECOMMENDATION

Wipe the microscope lens cleanly to obtain clearer results. Use other type of plant cell such as banana. Study another animal cell such as from the wall of human cheek. Use magnification of 100x.

11.0 REFERENCE Lipson, A. (2011). Optical physics (Cambridge; New York: Cambridge University Press) Schmidt, S. (2014, August 11). Introduction to Microscopy - NANSLO Lab Activity. Retrieved March 23, 2015, from https://cheo.pbworks.com/w/page/69375513/Introduction%20to%20Microscopy Types of Microscopes. (n.d.). Retrieved March 23, 2015, from http://www.cas.miamioh.edu/mbiws/microscopes/types.html McDarby, M. (2012, January 1). Introduction to Microscopes - Laboratory Exercise. Retrieved March 23, 2015, from http://faculty.fmcc.suny.edu/mcdarby/Pages/Lab Exercises/MICINTRO.htm

12.0 APPENDIX-7