Introduction

A cell is chemical system that is able to maintain its structure and reproduce.
Cells are the fundamental unit of life. All living things are composed of cells,
including plants. Plant cells are surrounded by a cellulose cell wall. This helps
to give each cell a definite shape. Also, plant cells usually have a large fluid
filled vacuole, which allows them to be much larger than animal cells. Apart
from this the cytoplasm is similar to that of animal cells, with a nucleus and
many small specialised structures such as mitochondria. Mitochondria are the
sites of respiration. (R.J. Rose, 2012)

Plant cells vary in the extent to which different functions are developed, as
with most multicellular organisms, plants exhibit division of labour. As a result
of the varied requirements of maintaining life and supporting growth and
development, specialized cells develop for protection, mechanical support,
synthesis or storage of food reserves, transport, absorption and secretion,
meristematic activity, reproduction, and the vital role of interconnecting the
more specialized tissues. (Plant cell, n.d.) The most important distinctive
structure of plant cell is the presence of the cell wall outside the cell
membrane. It forms the outer lining of the cell. The cell wall mostly made of
cellulose and its main function is providing support. Plants cells also contain
many membrane bound cellular structures. These organelles carry out
specific functions necessary for survival and normal operation of the cells.
There are a wide range of operations like producing hormones, enzymes and
all metabolic activities of the cell.

In order for students to understand the structure of a plant cell, they must
identify the parts of the cell and describe each parts job. To compare the
shape, structure and function of some plant cells. They must identify the cell
parts that are only found in plant cells and describe functions of the plant
cell. This lesson is designed to introduce the plant cell along with all of its
parts that allow it to function. It also provides them with some general
background information of the cell.

Methodology

To study the plant cells, the students observed the epidermal cells of the
following: onion (Allium cepa), tomato (Solanum lycoperiscum), digman
(Hydrilla or Elodea), and squash stem (Cucurbita maxima) as these cells are
easily obtained. The materials that are needed in order to identify the plant
cells are compound microscope, cover glass, glass slides, water and an iodine
solution.

Procedure

A. Onion (Allium cepa)

The students cutted an onion and obtained an inner fleshy tissue as shown in
the diagram. Removed a peel from inner or outer surface of it and transfered
it on the glass slide containing a drop of iodine. Covered it with a cover slip
without trapping any air bubbles and observe it. Exmined it under the LPO
and HPO.

B. Tomato (Solanum lycoperiscum)

The students removed a small amount of the thin epidermal covering of a

tomato fruit. Placed the epidermis on the glass slide and mounted it in iodine
solution. Covered it with a cover slip and focused it under LPO and HPO.

C. Digman (Hydrilla or Elodea)

The students picked a young thin leaf near the tip of a shoot of a Digman
plant. They placed a drop of water on the top of a slide and carefully placed a
Hydrilla leaf into it. Examined it under LPO and HPO.

D. Squash Stem (Cucurbita maxima)

The students mounted 3 trichomes from a squash stem and dropped an

iodine solution into the glass slide. Examined closely under the LPO and HPO.