Animals—Human Cheek Cells
(student activity sheet)
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ward
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science
Name: Class: Date:
Introduction:
Animalia, or animals, are one of the five kingdoms of life. Animal cells have
two structures not shared with plant cells: the centriole and lysosomes. In
this activity, you will explore the structure of human cheek cells, and you will
compare and contrast them with the plant (Elodea) cells.
Procedure:
1. Prepare a microscope slide of cheek cells.
• Using a pipette or eyedropper, place a drop of staining solution or Methylene Blue on a slide.
(Warning: These chemicals can stain clothing, skin, etc.)
• Rinse or dispose of the pipette or eyedropper.
• Using a toothpick and being careful not to hurt yourself, gently scrape the inside of your cheek.
• Swirl the toothpick in the liquid on the slide, transferring cells from the toothpick to the liquid.
• Throw away the toothpick, as directed by your teacher.
• Add a cover slip.
2. With a partner, examine the cheek cells at 40X, 100X, 400X, and 1000X magnification using the digital microscope.
• Examine the cheek cells at each magnification, using the microscope's eyepieces and mini-digital screen
(and/or the computer screen).
• Describe the shape or overall appearance of human cheek cells. How do various human cheek cells compare with each
other? Why do you think the various cells look different?
• Discuss the image on the screen(s) with your partner to get agreement on which structures can actually be seen. Use your
textbook and other references to help you identify the cell structures.
• Check with other students at other microscopes as to what structures of the cells they can or can't see, comparing
their view with yours.
3. Draw and label pictures of animal cells.
• Draw a picture of the human cheek cells you see using the digital microscope. Label the structures. Don't include or label
structures you can't actually see using the microscope. Title this drawing "Human Cheek Cells—Microscope View."
• Draw a second picture, based on what is in your textbook or other reference, that includes all the structures of an animal
cell. Title this drawing "Animal Cell—Idealized Diagram."
Safety
Be extra careful collecting, handling, and disposing
of the human cheek cells in this activity.
!
Human Cheek Cells
