Cheek Cell

CHEEK CELL
AIM
To prepare a slide of cheek cell and observe it under the microscope.

MATERIALS REQUIRED
Flat-edge toothpicks, microscope, slide, water, paper towels, methylene blue, cover slip

PROCEDURE                                                      
  * Place a drop of water on a microscope slide.
  * Place the toothpick at the bottom of the cheek and move the toothpick up horizontally to collect cheek cells. Be careful not to scrape the inside of the cheek too hard because the epithelial lining is delicate.

  * Place the swabbed end of the toothpick onto the middle of a microscope slide. Add a single droplet of water squeezed from a plastic pipette onto the
  centre of the slide. Rotate the toothpick in the
water to release the human cheek cells.

  * Add one drop of methylene blue onto the water and cell solution to stain the cheek cells for observation. Position a cover slip at a 45 degree angle just inside the left edge of the solution. Move your fingers down and to the right to place the cover slip over the cheek cell mixture.

  * Check for tiny air bubbles under the cover slip and lightly push the cover slip downwards to release any air bubbles you find. Place the edge of a paper towel on any solution outside of the cover slip to absorb the excess moisture. Mount the human cheek cell slide on the light microscope viewing platform.Pull excess dye and water out from underneath the cover slip by allowing a blotting paper to absorbe water

  * Choose the X-40 magnification setting on the light microscope and look through the viewing lens. Turn the focusing dial to adjust the focus until you see a clear and crisp image. Observe the human cheek cells by looking for irregularly-edged circular structures with a dark center, or nucleus.

  * Change the magnification up to X-100 on the light microscope, and refocus the lens for image clarity if necessary. Observe the increased cell detail that the extra magnification provides....