Shiv Chhatrapati Shikshan Santha’s

Sant Tukaram National Model School, Latur

1
 Experiment
• Objective

To prepare a stained
temporary mount of human
cheek cells and to record
observations and draw
labelled diagrams
 Apparatus and Materials Required
• Toothpick, slide, coverslip, filter
paper, needles, brush, watch glass,
methylene blue, dropper, glycerin,
water and a compound
microscope
 Theory
• Animal cells are usually irregular in shape. They do
not have a cell wall. They are surrounded by a cell
membrane and contain cytoplasm and nucleus.
 Procedure
• 1. With the help of the flat end of a washed
toothpick gently scrape the inside of your cheek.
• 2. Place the scrapings in the centre of a clean glass
slide.
• 3. Add a drop of water and a drop of methylene
blue.
• 4. After one minute remove the extra water mixed
with methylene blue by slightly tilting the slide.
• 5. Put a drop of glycerine over the stained scrapings
and cover it gently with a coverslip.
• Remove the excessive glycerine using filter paper.
• 7. Observe the scrapings under the low and high
magnifications of a microscope.
 Observation
• Many flat, oval or irregular cells are seen. The
cell membrane encloses cytoplasm and an
oval, dense nucleus.
• The cell wall is absent as in all animal cells.
 Precautions
• The cheeks should be scraped gently avoiding
any injury.
• 2. Over-staining and under-staining of the cells
should be avoided.
• 3. Coverslip should be placed carefully
avoiding the entry of air bubbles.
• 4. A dry and clean glass slide and coverslip
should be used.
• 5. The cheek cells should be spread properly
to avoid their folding.