Observing Cell Structures With Fluorescent Dyes
Observing cell structures under normal microscopic conditions can help students visualize how to build structures at nanoscaleCopyright 2009 Kaibara, CC-BY-2.0, Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kaibara/3839720754
In this design analysis activity, students make sense of technologies used to help visualize cell functions down to the nanometer scale such as con-focal microscopes, lasers, and customized fluorescent dyes. Students design and test new ideas to image plant cells using common household items and improve upon the process with testing. Using the iodine solution process as a control, student teams plan how to image the cells, evaluate the results and make recommendations to improve the imaging process.
Adding a black light and fluorescent dyes images better to find is a way to better image onion cells. This is a basic version of using con-focal microscopy to image cells. The objectives in this activity are in line with engineering design process. The steps include identifying a need; developing possible solutions; plan a prototype; test and evaluate; and optimize the solution. The key to this activity is to have students learn on their own and develop an understanding of the engineering process and come up with their own conclusions of the activity. Though some solutions may be better, it’s up to the student to determine the possible solutions.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Understand the importance of using different methods to visually examine cellular structures.
- Identify and label plant organelles.
- Explain the function of each organelle and how it relates to the cell as a whole.
- Determine if fluorescent dyes help with identifying cell structure.