Plant and Human Cell

This article is about the similarities and difference of plant and human cell. Created for students, this article contain procedures on how undertake the experiment and observing the similarities and differences of the cells under a high power microscope. When we talk about cells the first thing that comes to mind is life composed of small structures. Robert Hooke was the first to define the meaning of a cell. He states that the term “cell” is used to name miniature factories that make up all life forms. It is the basic unit of structure and function of all life forms, despite their size. A single cell that forms life is referred to as unicellular organism. While a cell that forms a cluster is called colonial organisms. Organisms that work as a team and have a designated function to maintain all organisms alive are termed as multi cellular organism.

This article gives us a comparison of a two dissimilar form of multicellular organism, namely the plant and animals. In order to identify the differences and similarities of these two types of multicellular organisms an experiment is needed. Enumerated from the article are list of materials needed for this experiment one such equipment is the high power microscope. The following procedure is used to study and compare the two types of organisms. Remove one fleshly leave from a red onion and bend the piece until it break. Using a forceps peel a thin layer of epidermis from the red onion leaf. Place the tissue diagonally onto the slide and cut off the excess. The tissue must come into view like cellophane with several red colorations. Add a few drop of distilled water on top of the onion tissue and smoothen the tissue with the use of a probe. Note, even though the tissue is left unwrinkled as long as there are small number of areas of red colored tissue left, the sample will be fine. Remove the cover slip and allow the rim of the slip to rest on the slide and bend over at 45 degree over the onion epidermis and let the cover slip to fall and make a seal by adding few drops of water. View the leaf using a high power microscope making sure to move the slide direct in the center.

To locate the area with few wrinkled, focus the slide scanning power first then when you already focus switch it to low power lens. By adjusting the stage you can view the different angle of the tissue. Repeat this procedure by using different solution. Almost the same procedure and materials are used in human cells. With the exception of a small sample of skin cell with the use of a blunt instrument gently scrape the side of the cheek for at least ten seconds to obtain sample cell. The human eye cannot see the sample cell clinging to the instrument. Only through the use of a high power microscope can one see the sample. This article provides the basic activity for student to learn and view the different structures of the cell. More on this topic