Materials Required:
Microscope
Clean, sterile cotton swabs
Microscopic slides
Cover slips
Methylene blue stain (optional)
Dropper
Water
Gloves
Steps Involved:
Prepare the Materials: Gather all necessary materials, including a microscope, slides, and sterile cotton swabs.
Collect Cheek Cells: Gently scrape the inside of your cheek with a sterile cotton swab.
Prepare the Slide: Smear the collected cells onto a clean microscopic slide.
Apply Stain (Optional): If using methylene blue stain, add a drop to the smear to enhance the visibility of the cells’ structures.
Cover the Slide: Carefully place a cover slip over the smear to avoid trapping air bubbles.
Observe Under the Microscope: Place the slide on the microscope stage, adjust the focus, and observe the cheek cells. Identify the cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, and any visible organelles.
Discuss Findings: Encourage students to discuss what they observe, describing the appearance and function of the different cell structures.
Record Observations: Have students draw a labeled diagram of the cheek cell structures they identified.