======Human Cheek Cells Under Microscope======


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**Alternative titles:** Cheek Cell Microscope Slide
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====Summary====                   
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====Procedure====  
  - Use a clean toothpick to gently scrape the inside lining of your cheek.  
  - Place a small drop of water on the center of a microscope slide.  
  - Roll and tap the toothpick onto the water drop so cheek cells transfer to the slide.  
  - Place a cover slip carefully over the sample.  
  - View the slide under scanning, low, and high power magnification.  
  - To stain, add a drop of methylene blue or iodine to the edge of the cover slip and draw it across with a paper towel on the opposite side.  
  - Observe the stained cells at different magnifications, focusing on the cell membrane, nucleus, and cytoplasm.



====Links==== 
How to Make a Wet Mount of Human Cheek Cells - Carolina Science: 
{{youtube>3aQYc6DeWsY?}}\\

Cheek Cells Under The Microscope - Sci- Inspi: 
{{youtube>jTSC4ntCPY4?}}\\

📄 Human Cheek Cell Station - chess.cornell.edu: [[https://www.chess.cornell.edu/sites/default/files/inline-files/Human-Cheek-Cell-Station.pdf]]\\


====Variations====
  * Compare cheek cells with onion skin cells to contrast animal and plant cell structures.  
  * Try different stains to highlight various cell components.  
  * Record drawings or photos of cells under different magnifications.



====Safety Precautions====
  * Do not gouge or scratch the inside of your cheek.  
  * Dispose of used toothpicks in a biohazard or trash container immediately.  
  * Handle stains with care; avoid skin or clothing contact.  
  * Wash hands thoroughly after completing the activity.  
  * Use caution with glass slides and cover slips to avoid cuts.




====Questions to Consider====
  * What structures are visible in cheek cells under the microscope? (cell membrane, nucleus, cytoplasm)  
  * How do animal cells like cheek cells differ from plant cells such as onion cells? (animal cells lack cell walls and chloroplasts, and are more irregular in shape)  
  * Why is staining necessary to see the cell structures clearly? (many cell parts are transparent and difficult to distinguish without stain)  
  * How does increasing magnification change the detail you can observe? (higher magnification shows more detail but reduces the field of view)