EXPERIMENT # 2

The Plant and Animal Cell

PLANT CELL
I.

ANSWER TO QUESTIONS

A. Mature Trichome Cells (Cucurbita maxima Duch.squash)

1. Under the LPO, how many cells do you see in each trichome?
It was observed that the sample used contained three (3) cells.
2. Where is the nucleus in these cells?
The nuclei are located inside the cell membrane, surrounded by the clear
spaces known as the vacuole. Specifically, the large globular dark-colored
portion.
3. Where is the cytoplasm?
Most of the cytoplasms part is concentrated about the sides of the cell.
However, portions of it creates a spinde (or thread like) objects coined as the
cytoplasmic strand which holds the nucleus in place.
4. Study Plate IVThe Plant Cells in squash hair. Label all parts seen. Indicate its correct
magnification.
B. Mature Onion Cell (Allium cepa L.)
1. Can you distinguish the protoplast clearly?
Yes, protoplast can be distinguished clearly.
2. Are plastids present in the cell?
Yes, plastids are present in the cell.
3. Are they colored?
No, they appear to be colorless.
4. Can you discern the cytoplasmic strands?
Yes, the cytoplasmic strands can be discerned.
5. How many nucleoli do you observe?
There are three (3) nucleoli observed. However, the actual image under the
specified magnification was failed to accomplish.

6. What occupy the spaces in between the cytoplasmic strands?

In plants, they are generally termed plasmodesmata and are portions
of the cytoplasm that connect two adjacent cells through pores in the cell
walls.

C. Mature Green Leaf Cells of Elodea: (Hydrilla verticellata (Roxb) Hoyle)

1. Does each cell have its own wall?

Conclusions
1. Do a Do adjacent cells share a common wall?
Yes. In compact tissues the adjacent cells share common cell wall. The
cytoplasm of these cells also remains connected through plasmodesmata.

2. Of what material is the cell composed?

The plant cell wall surrounds the cell membrane. It is made up of multiple
layers of cellulose which are arranged into primary and secondary walls.
Cellulose is the most common organic compound on Earth. About 33% of all
plant matter is cellulose - the cellulose content of cotton is 90% and wood is 50%
cellulose.
Cellulose is a polymer made of repeating glucose molecules attached end
to end (Thus cellulose is an example of a polysaccharide.). A cellulose molecule
may be from several hundred to over 10,000 glucose units long. Cellulose from
wood pulp has typical chain lengths between 300 and 1700 units; cotton and
other plant fibres have chain lengths ranging from 800 to 10,000 units (Klemm et
al. 2005). Cellulose is similar in form to complex carbohydrates like starch and
glycogen. These polysaccharides are also made from multiple subunits of
glucose. The difference between cellulose and other complex carbohydrate
molecules is how the glucose molecules are linked together. In addition, cellulose
is a straight chain polymer, and each cellulose molecule is long and rod-like. This
differs from starch, which is a coiled molecule. A result of these differences in

structure is that, compared to starch and other carbohydrates, cellulose cannot be

broken down into its glucose subunits by any enzymes produced by animals.
Lignin provides the mechanical support for stems and leaves and supplies
the strength and rigidity of plant walls. Lignin provides the structural strength
needed by large trees to reach heights in excess of 100 m. Without lignin these
trees would collapse on themselves. Also, lignin along with other cell wall
constituents provides resistance to diseases, insects, cold temperatures, and other
stresses. Lignin plays a crucial part in conducting water in plant stems. The
structure of lignin has not been properly determined as it usually fragments
upon extraction and there appears to be no consistent structure to it. The
polysaccharide components of plant cell walls are highly hydrophilic and thus
permeable to water, whereas lignin is more hydrophobic. The crosslinking of
polysaccharides by lignin is an obstacle for water absorption to the cell wall.
Thus, lignin makes it possible for the plants vascular to conduct water efficiently.
Lignin is present in all vascular plants, but not in bryophytes, supporting the idea
that the original function of lignin was restricted to water transport.
3. How do you account for the apparent presence of the nucleus within the central vacuole of
some Elodea cells?
Nucleus within the central vacuole of Elodea cell is visible than in any
other parts because there are less number of chloroplasts that covers the nucleus.
And sometimes nucleus is a little bit transparent that it can't be seen when there
are too many chloroplasts.
4. *In what Direction does the streaming of cytoplasm in Elodea proceed?

*Is the direction of streaming the same in all cells showing it?

*Does the direction of streaming change?

*Is the speed of movement the same in all cells?

In plant cells, chloroplasts may be moved around with the stream, possibly to a position of optimum light
absorption for photosynthesis. The rate of motion is usually affected by light exposure, temperature, and
pH levels.

5. Characterize mature plant cells in contrast to young ones.

Young plant cells often contain many small vacuoles, but as the cells mature,
these unite to form a large central vacuole.

ANIMAL CELL

1. What are the shapes of the cells?

Oval, rod-shaped, circular and some are irregular.

2. Is a vacuole or a cell wall visible?

No, it was not visible.
3. How would you describe the function of the nucleolus?
The nucleus of many eukaryotic cells contains a structure called a
nucleolus. The nucleolus takes up around 25% of the volume of the nucleus. This
structure is made up of proteins and ribonucleic acids (RNA). Its main function is
to rewrite ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and combine it with proteins. This results in
the formation of incomplete ribosomes. There is an uninterrupted chain between
the nucleoplasm and the interior parts of the nucleolus, which occurs through a
system of nucleolar passages.

Because of its close relationship to the chromosomal matter of the cell and
its important role in producing ribosomes, the nucleolus is thought to be the
cause of a variety of different human diseases.

4. Is any structure within the bacterial cell visible?

5. What shapes are visible in the specimen?