Question

when applying your cheek cells to the microscope slide, it is important to gently stir the toothpick into the methylene blue stain. why must this be done carefully? question 2 options: cheek cells will not be impacted by vigorous stirring due to the presence of the cell wall. to ensure all cells are gently lifted off the toothpick and clumped together in only one area of the microscope slide. vigorous stirring will cause the cells to burst as there is no cell wall. vigorous stirring creates an unnaturally powerful centrifugal force, causing the membranes to lyse.

Answer 1

Gentle stirring of a toothpick in methylene blue stain when preparing a cheek cell smear is critical for preventing cell lysis due to the absence of a cell wall and for ensuring even distribution of cells on the slide for proper observation.

Step-by-step explanation:

When applying cheek cells to the microscope slide, it is important to gently stir the toothpick into the methylene blue stain carefully because vigorous stirring can damage the cells. Cheek cells, being animal cells, do not have a cell wall to protect them from physical stress. Vigorous stirring can cause the delicate cell membranes to burst, leading to the cell's contents being released. Additionally, gentle stirring ensures an even distribution of cells across the microscope slide, creating a single layer of cells for observation under the microscope, which is necessary for correct staining and to accurately observe the cell morphology.