Introduction Cheek cells are often studied in school

laboratory settings because they can be easily

Cheek cells are eukaryotic cells (cells that
obtained through a mouth rinse or simple
contain a nucleus and other organelles within
swab. Yet, though the individual cells appear
enclosed in a membrane) that are easily shed
very simple under the microscope, they each
from the mouth lining. It is therefore easy to
contain the genetic make-up of the entire
obtain them for observation.
body. Thus, they are often used for DNA
(Anderson,2019). The tissue that lines the
fingerprinting studies, as well as paternity
inside of the mouth is known as the basal
testing. Interestingly, a group of Australian
mucosa and is composed of squamous
researchers have recently found another use
epithelial cells. These structures, commonly
for human cheek cells. They have devised a
thought of as cheek cells, divide
test that utilizes cheek cells to measure an
approximately every 24 hours and are
individual’s proclivity for high blood
constantly shed from the body. Cheek cells
pressure. (Davidson,2015). On the other side,
secrete a continuous supply of mucin, the
The bulb of an onion is formed from modified
principal element of mucous. In combination
leaves. While photosynthesis takes place in
with the salivary glands, the mucin maintains
the leaves of an onion containing chloroplast,
a moist environment in the oral cavity. A
the little glucose that is produced from this
sufficient moisture content must be
process is converted in to starch (starch
continually sustained in order to aid enzymes
granules) and stored in the bulb.
in softening food, facilitate swallowing, and
(Anderson,2015). This activity focuses on the
initiate the process of digestion.
difference and similarity of animal cell

(cheek cell) and plant cell (onion cell).

METHODOLOGY cover slip on top (to cover the stain

and the cells).

Before starting, it is always important to
4. Any excess solution can be removed
ensure that the working surface is clean and
by touching one side of the slide with
that you are wearing a pair of clean gloves to
a paper towel or blotting paper.
avoid contamination.
5. Place the slide on the microscope for

Cheek cells can be easily obtained by gently observation using 4 x or 10 x

scraping the inside of the mouth using a objective to find the cells

clean, sterile toothpick. (Anderson, 2015) 6. Once the cells have been found, they

can then be viewed at higher

Once the cells have been obtained, the
magnification.
following procedure is used for cheek

cell wet mount preparation:

For the Onion Cell:

1. Place a drop of physiological saline

1. Add a drop of water at the center of
on a clean microscopic slide (central
the microscopic slide
part of the slide).
2.Having pulled of a thin membrane
2. Smear the toothpick on to the center
from the onion layer, lay it at the
(part containing the saline drop) of
center of the microscopic slide (the
the clean slide to get the cells on to the
drop of water will help flatten the
center of the slide.
membrane)
3. Add a drop of Iodine stain and

methylene blue solution (separated)

3.Add a drop of iodine solution on the
on to the smear and gently place a
onion membrane (or methylene blue)
4.Gently lay a microscopic cover slip

on the membrane and press it down

gently using a needle to remove air

bubbles.

5.Touch a blotting paper on one side

of the slide to drain excess

iodine/water solution,

6.Place the slide on the microscope

stage under low power to observe.

7.Adjust focus for clarity to

observe.(Anderson,2015)
DISCUSSION granules when the two come in to contact

making them visible.

Cheek Cell has:

Although onions may not have as much

 Large irregularly shaped cells with
starch as potato and other plants, the stain
distinct cell walls.
(iodine) allows for the little starch molecules
 A distinct nucleus at the central part
to be visible under the microscope. Although
of each individual cell (dark blue in
onions are plants, students did not see any
color).
chloroplasts in their slides.
 A lightly stained cytoplasm in each

cell.(Anderson,2015) This is because of the fact that the chloroplast

necessary for photosynthesis is largely

Onion Cell has:
present in the leafy part of the onion, which

 Large, rectangular interlocking cells, is exposed to the sun and absent in the bulb

 Clearly visible distinct cell walls which is below ground and away from

surrounding the cells, sunlight.

 Dark stained nucleus,

Unlike animal cells, students also noticed that
 Large vacuoles at the center,
the plant cells have a more regular shape.
 Small granules may be observed
This is because they have a cell wall made up
inside the cells (within the cytoplasm)
of cellulose which maintains its shape.

(Anderson, 2015)
The layers of an onion contain simple sugars

(carbohydrates) some of which are stored as

starch (starch granules). Given that iodine

tends to bind to starch, it stains the starch

CONCLUSION components in common including a

nucleus, Golgi complex, endoplasmic

reticulum, ribosomes, mitochondria, peroxis

omes, cytoskeleton, and cell (plasma)

membrane. While animal and plant cells have

many common characteristics, they are also

different. (Bailey,2019)

To sum up, animal cells and plant cells are

similar in that they are both eukaryotic cells.

These cells have a true nucleus, which

houses DNA and is separated from other

cellular structures by a nuclear membrane.

Both of these cell types have similar

processes for reproduction, which

include mitosis and meiosis. Animal and

plant cells obtain the energy they need to

grow and maintain normal cellular function

through the process of cellular respiration.

Both of these cell types also contain cell

structures known as organelles, which are

specialized to perform functions necessary

for normal cellular operation. Animal and

plant cells have some of the same cell