Students collect a sample of their own cheek cells, prepare a wet mount slide, stain the cells with methylene blue or iodine, and observe cell structures such as the nucleus, membrane, and cytoplasm under a microscope.

1. Use a clean toothpick to gently scrape the inside lining of your cheek.
2. Place a small drop of water on the center of a microscope slide.
3. Roll and tap the toothpick onto the water drop so cheek cells transfer to the slide.
4. Place a cover slip carefully over the sample.
5. View the slide under scanning, low, and high power magnification.
6. 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.
7. Observe the stained cells at different magnifications, focusing on the cell membrane, nucleus, and cytoplasm.

How to Make a Wet Mount of Human Cheek Cells - Carolina Science:

Cheek Cells Under The Microscope - Sci- Inspi:

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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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)