Question

1. which organelles were visible in both of your samples?
2. which organelles were not visible in either sample?
3. compare the shape of the cheek cells to the shape of the onion cells.
4. compare the cell placement on the slides between the two cell types. for example, were the cells touching each other? were they in groups or were they separate and not touching?
5. what other observations did you make that might allow you to differentiate between plant and animal cells?

what analysis question did you think was the most difficult; annotate it by circling the question number. what question are you unsure about; annotate it by giving it a star (*); did you annotate the same questions?
conclusion: was your hypothesis supported? be sure to explain your reasoning! (sentence starters: “yes, my hypothesis was supported. i know this because...” or “no, my hypothesis was not correct. it was proven to be false because...”)

Explanation:

1. Nucleus is often visible in both: In both animal (cheek) and plant (onion) cells, the nucleus is usually observable under a light - microscope as a dark - staining, roughly spherical structure.
2. Chloroplasts and large central vacuole not visible in animal cells: Chloroplasts, which are responsible for photosynthesis in plant cells, are not present in animal cells like cheek cells. Also, the large central vacuole typical of plant cells is not found in animal cells.
3. Cheek cells are irregular, onion cells are more regular: Cheek cells are generally irregularly shaped due to the lack of a rigid cell wall. Onion cells have a more regular, rectangular shape because of the presence of a cell wall.
4. Onion cells are more organized, cheek cells may be more scattered: Onion cells are often arranged in a more organized, closely - packed layer. Cheek cells may be more scattered and less organized on the slide.
5. Cell wall in onion cells, absence in cheek cells: The presence of a cell wall in onion (plant) cells and its absence in cheek (animal) cells is a key difference. Also, the shape and arrangement differences can help differentiate.

Answer:

1. Nucleus is often visible in both cheek and onion cells.
2. Chloroplasts and large central vacuole are not visible in cheek cells (and are characteristic of plant cells like onion cells but may not always be visible depending on the preparation and magnification).
3. Cheek cells are irregularly shaped while onion cells are more regularly shaped (rectangular).
4. Onion cells are usually more closely - packed and organized, while cheek cells may be more scattered on the slide.
5. The presence of a cell wall in onion cells (plant cells) and its absence in cheek cells (animal cells), along with shape and arrangement differences, can be used to differentiate.