Objective: improving skills in using the microscope, preparing temporary mounts, observing characteristics of plant cells, testing for starch, osmosis and turgidity within plant cells.
Materials Required:
- Red Pepper
- Green pepper
- Tomato
- Potato
- Banana
- Radish
- Moss leaves
- Iodine solution
- 20% sucrose solution
- Droppers
- 7 Glass slides
- 7 cover slips
- Razor
- Light Microscope
Method:
- Observe tissues from plant material under high power (x 400)
- Draw individual cells showing starch grains, chloroplasts, chromoplasts, anthyocyanins (vacuolar pigments)
- Measure the size of 3 cells of your choice
- Add sucrose solution to radish to compare plasmolysis and turgidity in plant tissues
Table 1: Plant Tissues Observed at 400 x
Plant Tissue
Mountant Medium
Green Pepper
Water
Red Pepper
Water
Moss Leaves
Water
Banana
Iodine Solution
Potato
Iodine Solution
Radish
Water
Radish
20% sucrose solution
Observations:
It is quite evident that the Red Pepper and the Green Pepper have cells very similar to each other. The eccentric shape of the cells, the numerous chromoplasts that dot the cytoplasm and even how they encircle the nucleus make the two tissues alike on a cellular level. The biggest difference between the two cells was the colors. The red pepper is red in color and this is due to the chromoplasts in the cytoplasm. The green pepper is light green because, although chromoplasts are present, the chloroplasts have a dominating green color.
