Question

A student prepared a slide containing his own cheek cells. The student stained the cells with iodine. Which parts of the cell should the student be able to see using a microscope with a total magnification of 400X?

Option 1: Cell membrane
Option 2: Nucleus
Option 3: Cytoplasm
Option 4: Cell wall

Answer 1

Upon staining cheek cells with iodine and observing them at 400X magnification under a microscope, one should be able to discern the cell membrane, nucleus, and cytoplasm; but not the cell wall, as cheek cells are animal cells and lack this feature.

Step-by-step explanation:

When observing a cheek cell under a microscope at 400X magnification, a student should be able to see several cellular components. Since the student has stained the cells with iodine, which is a common staining agent for enhancing contrast, the student can expect to see the cell membrane, the nucleus, and the cytoplasm. However, cheek cells do not possess a cell wall, as this structure is found in plant cells, and not in animal cells. The staining with iodine will make the nucleus more visible because it binds to the starch-like substances in the cell, which are often present around the nucleus. The cell membrane should also be distinguishable as it encloses the contents of the cheek cell.

Microscope Observation

1. Locate and focus on a single cheek cell using the oil immersion objective if available or the high-power objective lens.
2. Sketch the larger cheek cell and label the visible structures: the membrane and nucleus.
3. If any bacterial cells are present, add them to your sketch for comparative size scale.