UNIVERSITY OF SONORA

PRACTICE #7. OBSERVATION OF PLANT CELLS

GENERAL BIOLOGY LABORATORY

CLINICAL BIOLOGY CHEMIST

PROF. MIRIAM LIZ GRACIDA VALDEPEÑA

CLUSTER:
 Summary

Plants are multicellular organisms made up of thousands of plant cells specialized in

different functions. Higher plant cells are organized and differentiated into tissues, of
which four main types of plant tissues are distinguished:

• Meristematic tissue: small cells responsible for plant growth, they have a
polyhedral shape, thin walls, small and abundant vacuoles
• Protective tissue: cells that cover and protect the outermost surface of the
plant.
• Fundamental tissue: constitutes the majority of the plant body, since they
occupy the space between the epidermis and the conductive tissues.
Fundamental tissues are involved in photosynthesis, water and nutrient
storage, and support.
• Conductive tissue: they are responsible for conducting the necessary
nutrients between the different elements.
 Introduction

Eukaryotic plant cells make up the tissues of plant organisms. They are characterized
by having a cell wall, a large central vacuole, chloroplasts and other cellular
organelles that carry out photosynthesis, although they are also made up of
components common to all cells, such as the nucleus, cytoplasm, cytoskeleton, cell
membrane, endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus.

Plant epithelial tissue is a layer that covers the entire plant and plays a role as a
protective system for the leaves, flowers, young or herbaceous stems and the ends of
the roots. In epithelial tissues we can find stomata, which are pores that allow carbon
dioxide to enter and release oxygen during the process of photosynthesis, or vice
versa during plant respiration. They are also responsible for regulating water
movement through transpiration.

The chloroplast is one of the main organelles that differentiates the photosynthesizing
organisms found in plant cells. They are responsible for producing chlorophyll, which
is responsible for absorbing light to carry out photosynthesis, generating food for
plants. Inside there are structures called thylakoids, where a series of proteins
involved in photosynthesis are found.

Plastids are another set of organelles typical of photosynthetic cells. Its main function
is the production and storage of important chemical compounds used by the cell.

Trichomes are hair-like appendages on the epidermis of plants. These have the
function of water absorption, temperature regulation, dispersion of seeds and fruits,
protection against abrasive agents and perception of stimuli.

Goals

Different types of plant samples will be observed in order to identify different types of
plant cells in different species, their cellular components and the function of these
components.
 Methodology

MATERIAL AND EQUIPMENT

• Slides and coverslips Onion (Allium sp)

• Dissecting needles
• Dissection forceps
• Scalpel or razor
• dropper

BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL

• Leek or chambray onion

• Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)
• Potato (Solanum tuberosum)
• Pear (Pyrus communis)
• geranium or fig leaf
• Aloe vera leaf
• Elodea (aquatic plant)

DYES:

• Methylene blue
• Lugol
• Acetic methyl green

PROCEDURES:

Observation of onion epidermis

1. Separate one of the inner leaves of the onion and detach the tenuous membrane
that is attached to its concave underside.
2. Place the membrane fragment on a slide with a few drops of water. Place the slide
on the staining rail so that the water and stains fall into the tray. If necessary,
stretch the piece of epidermis with the help of two sleeved needles.

3. Drain the water, add a drop of methyl acetic green (or methylene blue) on the
membrane and leave it to act for approximately 5 minutes. THE EPIDERMIS
 SHOULD NOT BE DRY DUE TO LACK OF COLORING OR DUE TO
EVAPORATION OF THE COLOR.
4. Using the dropper, bathe the epidermis with plenty of water until no dye is
released.
5. Place a coverslip on the preparation, preventing bubbles from forming, and place it
under the microscope.
6. Observe the preparation with the 40X objective, starting with the lowest. Identify
the different cells of the epidermal tissue and those of the leaves of the onion bulb.

Observation of leek epidermis

1. Remove a small part of the epidermis from the leek leaf and place it on a slide on
which you will have placed two or three drops of water. Be careful that it is a
colorless layer and that it is perfectly spread.
2. Place the coverslip and examine the preparation under the microscope.
3. Identify in your preparation the structure of the cells that appear in the diagram.

Observation of tomato pulp

1. Using a scalpel, cut the tomato into two halves.

2. Using tweezers, obtain a piece of tomato pulp about 2mm thick.
3. Place it in the center of a slide without adding water.
4. Place a coverslip on top and gently compress it with your fingers until the tomato
pulp fragment is completely crushed (squash technique).
5. Take the preparation to the microscope stage and observe at low magnifications.
Select the best group of cells and move to higher magnifications.
6. Identify the different visible cellular organelles and draw what you observe.

Observation of amyloplasts

1. Using the scalpel, make a thin cut of the potato.

2. Place a drop of lugol on a slide and place the potato cut on top; compress gently
with a coverslip.
3. Observe at 40X, distinguish the amyloplasts and diagram

Observation of chloroplasts in Elodea.

1. Take a leaf of Elodea sp., with a few drops of water, place a slide on it and a
 coverslip on top. Observe the chloroplasts and sketch.
2. From the stem part make a thin transverse cut. With drops of water, place a
coverslip on the slide and on top. Observe the water parenchyma tissue.

Observation of trichomes on geranium or other plant leaves.

1. Take a piece of leaf in a wet sample on the slide, and observe the surface,
distinguish and outline the trichomes.

Observation of sclereids in the mesocarp (pulp) of the pear

2. Using a scalpel, cut a piece of the pear.

3. Using tweezers, obtain a piece of pear pulp about 2 mm thick.
4. Place it in the center of a slide without adding water.
5. Place a coverslip on top and gently compress it with your fingers until the pear
pulp fragment is completely crushed (squash technique).
6. Take the preparation to the microscope stage and observe at 40X.
7. Recognize the characteristic cell type of this tissue: the sclereids, grouped and
dark, with their secondary cell wall thickened, and lacking cytoplasm. Outline.

Observation of aquifer parenchyma.

1. Using a scalpel, cut a piece of the aloe vera.

2. Using tweezers, obtain a piece of aloe vera pulp about 2mm thick.

3. Place it in the center of a slide without adding water.

4. Place a coverslip on top and gently compress it with your fingers until the fragment
of aloe pulp is completely crushed (squash technique).
5. Take the preparation to the microscope stage and observe at 40X.
6. Recognize the characteristic cell type of this tissue: the sclereids, grouped and
dark, with their secondary cell wall thickened, and lacking cytoplasm. Outline.
 Results

Observation of onion epidermis

It was possible to identify the nuclei of the onion epithelial cells, with and without the
use of staining, through a 40X magnification. When using staining, it was observed
that the nuclei became darker in color compared to the rest of the cell.

Identification of the nuclei of onion epithelial cells with distilled water, photograph
taken with a magnification of 40X.
Identification of the nuclei of onion epithelial cells with neutral red staining,
photograph taken at 40X magnification.

Observation of leek epidermis

The stomata of the leek were identified through a 100X magnification without using
any type of stain.

Identification of leek stomata, photograph taken at 100X magnification.

Observation of tomato pulp

The nuclei, vacuoles and chromoplasts of the tomato cells were identified through a
150X magnification.

Photograph of tomato cells with 150X magnification.

Observation of amyloplasts

The Lugol-stained amyloplasts were observed, and their threads and deposition
layers were identified by means of a 100X magnification.

Identification of potato amyloplasts with a magnification of 100X.

Observation of chloroplasts in Elodea.

A large number of chloroplasts were identified in the Elodea cells and their movement
called “cyclosis”, which is a permanent rotating movement that occurs regularly or
irregularly.
Photograph of the Elodea cells with a magnification of 400X.

Photograph of the aquifer

parenchyma.

Observation of trichomes on geranium or other plant

leaves.
The stomata and trichomes of a lily leaf were observed through 10X and 40X
magnification. Consequently, crochet cells and chromoplasts were identified by
means of 40X magnification.

Photograph of geranium stomata and trichomes with distilled water, the first
photograph was taken at 10X magnification and the second photograph at 40X
magnification.

Identification of geranium crochet cells and chromoplasts with distilled water,

photograph taken with a magnification of 40X.

Observation of sclereids in the mesocarp (pulp) of the pear.

Sclereids can be found scattered or forming groups in the soft, fleshy pulp of certain
pomes, giving the sandy texture of the pear. In this practice, brachysclereids were
identified in the pulp of the pear.

Brachysclereids in pear pulp.

Observation of aquifer parenchyma.

The stomata were identified in the aloe pulp sample, as well as its cell wall.

Photograph of aloe vera pulp with a magnification of 40X.

Discussion

QUESTIONNAIRE:
1. What are the differences between an animal cell and a plant cell?
The animal cell is a eukaryotic cell characterized by the presence of a nucleus,
plasma membrane and cytoplasm. It differs from the plant cell by the absence of a
cell wall and chloroplasts. Additionally, smaller and more abundant vacuoles can be
found compared to those of a plant cell.

2. What is the plant cell wall made of and what is its function?
The wall of plant cells is mainly made up of cellulose, which is a glucose
polysaccharide.

Thanks to the rigidity provided by cellulose, the wall protects the plant cell, gives it
resistance against pathogens, limits it from the environment, and gives it support and
shape. There are other substances in the wall, such as hemicellulose (another form
of cellulose) and lignin , a substance that not only gives rigidity to the wall and
prevents its decomposition.

There are also pectins, which are substances that contain sugars; They are present
in large quantities in the cell walls of fruits such as guava and orange. They help the
plasticity of the cell wall. In the food industry they are used as gelling agents in jellies
and jams.

Some cells have waxes , cutin and suberin, which are lipids that make the cell wall
impervious, and the carbohydrate callose that also defends the cell against the
invasion of pathogens. It gives rigidity to the cell, protects its contents, functions as a
mediator in all its relationships with the environment, acts as a cellular compartment
and supports osmotic forces and growth.
3. What is plant epidermal tissue and how is it formed?
It is the living protector that covers the surface of the entire plant when it has primary
structure. The epidermis is only considered missing in the root calyptra and in the
apical meristems . It is a thick, impermeable layer, and is normally formed by a single
heterogeneous layer of flattened cells, whose function is to protect the inner cells,
limit perspiration, secrete some substances, store others, and exchange gases with
the environment.

4. What are stomata, where are they located and what are their functions?
Stomata are pores or adjustable openings in the epidermal tissue, formed by a pair of
specialized cells, called occlusive or guard cells. The pore itself is called ostiole,
which communicates inwardly with a cavity called the substomatal chamber. Stomata
are present in the epidermis of practically all aerial parts of plants (leaves, green
stems, flowers and developing fruits) and even in roots of Pisum sativum . The main
function of stomata is to facilitate gas exchange and thus promote plant
photosynthesis.
5. Explain what plastids are and give examples of plants that contain them.
They are eukaryotic cellular organelles , typical of plants and algae. Its main function
is the production and storage of important chemical compounds used by the cell.

Primary plastids, found in most plants, green, red and glaucophyte algae. plastid
genes to the host nucleus

6. What is the structure of the chloroplast and what is its function?

Chloroplasts are surrounded by two membranes: the outer membrane and the inner
membrane. The space between both membranes is called intermembranous space.
The aqueous region enclosed by the inner membrane is called the stroma and is
equivalent to the mitochondrial matrix. Inside the stroma there is a continuous
membrane called the thylakoid membrane, which encloses an internal space known
as the thylakoid space. The thylakoid membrane is highly folded, forming flattened
vesicles, called thylakoids. These vesicles can be found stacked forming the grana or
granum or as individual vesicles that pass through the stroma and connect the grana
to each other.

7. What are the fundamental or basal tissues of plants. In what part of the plant
can we locate them and what is the function of each of them?
The fundamental tissue is made up of parenchyma cells located in leaves, stem and
root; responsible for carrying out photosynthesis or storing substances. Collenchyma
cells also form this type of tissue, and their function is to support the stems of
herbaceous plants. Sclerenchyma cells have primary and secondary cellulose walls,
providing great rigidity and firmness, which is why they are only found in woody
plants.

Protective tissues cover the entire plant and perform a function similar to that of skin
in animals. They include the epidermal and suberous tissue. The first covers the
leaves, flowers, young or herbaceous stems and the ends of the roots. In the
suberous tissue, very often in the place left by the epidermis, one or several layers of
cells appear whose walls are verified, forming the suberous or cork, impermeable to
liquids and gases.

Fundamental tissues are involved in photosynthesis, water and nutrient storage, and
support.

8. What are trichomes and what functions can they have?

They are fine growths or appendages of plants, algae, lichens and some protists.
They are of diverse structure and function. Some examples are hairs, glandular hairs,
scales and papillae. The functions they perform are varied: water absorption,
temperature regulation, dispersion of seeds and fruits, protection against abrasive
agents and perception of stimuli.
 Conclusions

Daniela Calderón from the boat De la torre

With this practice we were able to observe the components that characterize and are
part of the structure of plant cells, differentiating them from other cells. We also saw
in great detail the epidermal tissues of these cells and how they are formed.

Figueroa Romero Shareny

In this practice we were able to observe a plant cell where we can see the simplicity
of its hexahedral and elongated shape, observing its difference from animal cells,
presenting a cell wall, possessing the plastids that are responsible for
photosynthesis, starches and pigmentation.

Duarte Osuna Jorge Luis

The physical structures of plant cells and the advantages of using staining to identify
parts of the cells through the microscope compared to a natural sample were
observed. You can see the differences between the cells depending on the place
where the sample was taken, even if they end up being from the same plant.

Navarro Chairs Carlos Alejandro

In this practice we were able to experiment with a wide variety of species from the
plantae kingdom, we observed their cells and tissues and identified their main
components, using staining if required.

Bibliography

Stoller Europe. (2018, May 7). THE IMPORTANCE OF STOMATA .

PLANT PHYSIOLOGY. Retrieved October 25, 2021, from

https://fisiologiavegetal.es/2018/05/la-importancia-de-los-estomas/

of Hidalgo, U. TO. d. AND. (s. F.). Plant tissues . UAEH. Retrieved 25 of

October of 2021, of

https://www.uaeh.edu.mx/scige/boletin/prepa4/n10/p2.html

Megías, M. Q. M. (s. F.). Plant tissues. Introduction. Atlas of Histology

Vegetable and Animal . mmegias. Retrieved October 25, 2021, from

https://mmegias.webs.uvigo.es/1-vegetal/guiada_v_inicio.php

Paez, J. c. (2021, March 11). Parts of the plant cell . ecologyverde.com.

Retrieved October 25 , 2021, from https://www.ecologiaverde.com/partes-de-

la-celula-vegetal-3278.htmlhttps://www.ecologiaverde.com/partes-de-la-celula-

vegetal-3278.html

of Hidalgo, U. TO. d. AND. (s. f.-b). Plant tissues . UAHE. Retrieved October

25 of 2021, of

https://www.uaeh.edu.mx/scige/boletin/prepa4/n10/p2.html#ref1

Fundamental tissues – Plant Planet . (s. F.). Planet Plant. Retrieved October

25, 2021, from http://www.edumovil.com/planetaplanta/23-2/tejidos-2-

2/tejidos-adultos/fundamentales/

Chloroplasts . (s. F.). Nature and tourism. Retrieved October 25 , 2021, from

https://www.asturnatura.com/articulos/organulos-energeticos/cloroplastos-

estructura-compuesto.phphttps://www.asturnatura.com/articulos/organulos-

energeticos/cloroplastos-estructura-composicion.php

GUIDE TO MICROSCOPY . (sf). Retrieved on October 25, 2021, from:

https://proserquisa.com/portal/guias/biologia/microscopia/MCP-No-18.pdf

Topic 12: Sclerenchyma . (2019). Retrieved on October 25, 2021, from:

 http://www.biologia.edu.ar/botanica/tema12/12-2esclere.htm

PLANT CELL EXPERIMENTATION ACTIVITIES . (sf).

Recovered he 25 of October of 2021, of:

https://aulavirtual.agro.unlp.edu.ar/pluginfile.php/62969/mod_resource/content

/1/ACTIV.%20EXP.%20C%C3%89LULA.pdf#:~:text=T%C3%A9cnica %20to

%20observe%20amyloplasts, Iodine%2DIodide%20of%20Potassium ) .

Tomato and elodea cells . (2019). Retrieved on October 25 , 2021, from:

https://www.studocu.com/co/document/universidad-de-caldas/laboratorio-

microbiologia/celulas-de-tomate-alodea/5970910

Plantmen. (2019). Observing Aloe Vera under the Microscope. [Video File].

Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=6Mp0wwXf-

b4&t=684s&ab_channel=Plantmen

Applied Biology. (2016). Plant Parenchyma: importance and commercial utility.

[Archive of Video]. Youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oJkmx4jCRE&ab_channel=Biolog%C3%

ADaAplicada

Chemistry and Biology Laboratory. (2020). BOTANY - 2 FABRICS

VEGETABLES. [Archive of Video]. Youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqBHYKBtWWQ&ab_channel=LABORAT

ORIOQU%C3%8DMICAYBIOLOG%C3%8DA