LAB: Microscopy and the Cell

Created by Pebble Barbero

LAB ACTIVITY OUTCOMES:
 Compare the properties of a compound light microscope, dissecting microscope, and
scanning electron microscope.
 Students will examine a variety of animal cells to understand how eukaryotic cells vary
in structure and function.

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BIOL 1408 Lab Manual

Part 1: The Microscope

INVESTIGATION 1: Types of Microscopes
Microscopes are one of the most important tools for a biologist. It is a tool used to enlarge
images of small objects so they can be studied. In this lab, we will learn about the different
types of microscopes and the proper use and handling of the microscope.
Compound Light Microscope
The compound light microscope is an instrument containing two lenses for magnification, and a
variety of knobs to resolve (focus) the picture. The image seen with this type of microscope is
two dimensional and can be used to view individual cells on both prepared slides and living
tissues or organisms. Compound light microscopes have high magnification but low resolution.
Magnification is how much an image is enlarged with a microscope. Resolution, simply put, is
the amount of detail you can see in a specimen. Technically, resolution is the shortest distance
between two points on a specimen that can still be distinguished by the observer.
Dissecting Microscope
A stereomicroscope is an instrument that contains two optical paths giving the user two slightly
different angles to view the sample. This provides a three dimensional view of the specimen
using light that is reflected from the specimen. The stereomicroscope is ideal for observing the
surface of specimens or dissecting specimens. Stereomicroscopes have a lower magnification
than the compound light microscope.
Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)
Here at Eastfield College, we have a TM-1000 scanning electron microscope (SEM) – it is at the
front of your lab room for you to observe during this lab. The SEM produces a beam of high
energy electrons that strike the specimen being imaged. These electrons are produced by
adding voltage to an electron gun (a tungsten filament) at the top of the SEM. Electromagnets
focus the electron beam, sweeping back and forth over the specimen. Electrons are absorbed
by the specimen then scattered back and captured by an electron detection system (EDS) that
creates an image of the specimen on a screen. SEMs have high magnification and excellent
resolution compared to the light microscopes. SEMs also provide a depth of field with a
specimen that is not possible with light microscopes. Depth of field is the depth that a
specimen can be kept in focus at the same time.

References:
Gans, Murry. “Microscopy Lab Resources.” Microscopy Lab Resources - SEM Lab - Eastfield College, 2015,
alt.eastfieldcollege.edu/smpe/SEM/resources.asp.

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 “Microscopy U - The Sources for Microscopy Education.” Nikon's MicroscopyU, Nikon Instruments Inc., 2016,
Microscopy U Website

Table 1: Microscope Comparison

Compound Light
Item Dissecting Microscope Scanning Electron Microscope
Microscope

Picture of
Microscope

Illuminating
Visible Light Visible Light Beam of electrons
Source
Types of
Living and prepared Living and prepared
specimens Only prepared specimens
specimens specimens
observed
Thickness of
5 µm or thicker Not specified Up to 25 mm thick
specimen
Stained to produce colored No staining; actual colors No staining; black and white
Staining?
image of specimen image
Type of lens Glass lenses Glass lenses Electromagnets
Beam of electrons is swept
How is image Focusing light through Focusing light through
across the surface of the
magnified? prisms and lenses prisms and lenses
specimen
Specimen absorbs the energy of
How image the electron beam and that
Absorbs light waves Reflects light waves
formed? energy causes the specimen to
give off its own electrons
Image seen? Seen directly Seen directly Seen on a screen
2D – study detailed internal 3D – study of external
Image type 3D – study of external surface
structure surface
Total
Up to 1000X Up to 70X Up to 300,000X
magnification
Cost $150 - $10,000 $1500 >$50,000

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BIOL 1408 Lab Manual

Part 2: Cell Diversity

The cell is the basic unit of life. Most biologists agree that there is no life below this level of
organization. Some organisms like bacteria, and many protists exist as single cells, while all
animals and plants, and most fungi are multicellular.
There are two types of cells in the living world. The most primitive prokaryotic cell lacks a
nucleus, membrane-bound organelles, and it is smaller than 10 micrometers in size. All
bacteria are prokaryotes and the origin of these cells dates back 3.5 billion years ago.
Eukaryotic cells evolved 1.7 billion years ago, and although the presence of the nucleus is their
defining aspect, they also have membrane-bound organelles, a size larger than 10 micrometers,
and the ability to create multicellular organisms. Plants, animals, fungi and protists consist of
one or more eukaryotic cells.
Investigation 2: The Prokaryotic Cell
Procedure:
1. Examine the bacterial cell pictured below to learn its basic structure and function. Use
Figure 2 to complete Table 4 with function.
Figure 2: The Prokaryotic Cell

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 Table 4: Prokaryotic Cell – Structure and Function
Letter in Name of the
Function
Model Structure
A Capsule Jelly-like outer coating of the cell

B Cell wall The rigid structure outside the plasma membrane

Cell Membrane enclosing the cytoplasm

C
membrane

D Pili Attachment structure on the outside of some prokaryotes

Nucleoid Houses DNA

E
region

F Plasmid Small, circular, double stranded DNA molecule

G Ribosome Synthesizes proteins

H Flagella Locomotion

Investigation 3: The Eukaryotic Cell

Figure 3: Eukaryotic Cell – Plant and Animal

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BIOL 1408 Lab Manual

Eukaryotic cells vary from organism to organism. For example, there are some obvious
differences between a plant cell and an animal cell. In addition, cells vary greatly within an
organism. In animals, muscle cells are considerably different from nerve cells and skin cells in
size, shape, and function. Use Figure 3 to identify the organelle and look up the function of the
labeled organelles. Plant cells and animal cells have some organelles in common, those are
represented by the same letter in Figure 3. For example, the letter A is the same structure in
both cell models.
Table 5: Structure and Function of the Animal and Plant Cell
Letter in Name of the
Function
Model Structure

A Mitochondrion Synthesis of ATP through breaking down food.

B Golgi Apparatus The loading dock and shipping facility of the cell

Endoplasmic Produces, modifies and transport proteins

C
Reticulum

Peroxisome Function depends on the cell, in many cases it produces

D lipids such as steroids, and enzymes that detoxify harmful
substances

E Ribosome Convert mRNA to amino acid sequences

F Nucleus Stores the DNA

G Cell membrane Regulates traffic in and out of the cell

H Nucleolus The sight of

I Vesicle Intracellular digestion

J Centrioles Organizing microtubules

K Central vacuole Holds water and waste in plant cells

L Cytoplast Site of photosynthesis

M Cytoskeleton Rigid structure that protects and gives shape to the cell

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Conclusion Questions:

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BIOL 1408 Lab Manual

1. Identify one similarity and one difference between:

a. Compound microscope and dissecting microscope
Both use visible light but the compound absorbs light waves while the dissecting reflects them.

b. Compound microscope and SEM

Both can view prepared specimens but that’s the only type of specimen SEM can view.
Compound can view prepared and living specimen.

c. Dissecting microscope and SEM

Both produce 3D images but the dissecting uses glass lenses while the SEM uses
electromagnets.

2. List three structures found in the plant cell that are not present in the animal cell.

 Cytoplast
 Central Vacuole
 Cell wall

3. List two structures found in the animal cell that are not present in the plant cell.

 Centrosomes
 Lysosomes

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4. Are there any structures in common in the prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell? List all the
structures present in both kinds of cell.

 Ribosomes
 Cell membrane
 DNA

5. What microscope would you use to observe the external anatomy of an insect like a bee or
a moth? Explain your answer.

You would use an SEM because they are designed to observe the exterior of specimen.

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