Onion cell microscope slide experiment

• What materials are needed to prepare onion microscope slides?

  Microscope, slides, iodine, etc.
• The thinnest layer of onion skin works best for preparing slides.
• Clean the microscope slide with an alcohol wipe
• Toothpicks are used to reposition onion pieces on the slide.
• A drop of iodine is added to stain the nucleus
• Steps to prepare an onion microscope slide

  1️⃣ Wash and peel the onion

  2️⃣ Slice the onion as thin as possible

  3️⃣ Clean the microscope slide

  4️⃣ Place onion pieces on the slide

  5️⃣ Add a drop of iodine

  6️⃣ Apply a cover slip
• What type of pressure should be applied to the cover slip?

  Enough to secure
• The onion's rigid cell walls allow the cells to be viewed under a microscope.
• The iodine dye turns the nucleus of the onion cells red
• What type of slides are being prepared in this experiment?

  Onion cell microscope slides
• When preparing the slides, it is recommended to use the thin layer of skin around the onion
• Steps for preparing onion cell microscope slides

  1️⃣ Wash and peel the onion

  2️⃣ Slice the onion as thin as possible

  3️⃣ Clean the microscope slide and cover slip

  4️⃣ Place onion pieces onto the slide

  5️⃣ Add a drop of iodine

  6️⃣ Apply a cover slip

  7️⃣ Observe under a microscope
• Alcohol wipes are used to clean the microscope slide and cover slip.
• What tool is used to reposition the onion pieces on the slide?

  Toothpick
• A drop of iodine is added to the onion to stain the nucleus.
• Excessive pressure should be applied to the cover slip to ensure it stays in place.

  False
• What is visible under the microscope after preparing the slide?

  Cell wall and nuclei
• The rigid cell walls of onion cells allow them to be viewed under a microscope
• Iodine dye stains the nucleus of the onion cells red.