Microscopy Podcast

The zoom image shows two onion root tips, an ideal place to observe the different stages of mitosis.

It is possible to observe the plasmolysis of cells under the microscope. When salt water is added to onion cells, then the cells will lose water due to osmosis, this can be observed.

This is one of my favorite lab activities. Onion cells are visualized using a slide projector. Using an internal reference mark, the students can calculate the actual size of onion cells. It does not require the use of microscopic equipment and can be conducted in the normal classroom (lab not required).

This is a simple preparatory technique that allows students to observe the otherwise difficult to see nucleus of onion cells. There is no need to employ, possibly harmful, DNA staining chemicals.