2. Onion cells
• AIM: To prepare an onion slide and
view under a microscope
• Watch the demonstration – then
prepare your own slides and view under
the microscope!
3. Preparing onion cells
1. Collect a thin piece of onion skin
2. Using a pair of tweezers and a
dissecting needle, place it as flat as
possible on the glass slide
3. Place a drop of stain on the top
4. Carefully lower a coverslip using a
dissecting needle
5. Carefully dry off any excess stain
6. View under the microscope
4. In your notebooks…
• Write up your method
• Draw what you see in the microscope
your notebook – label your diagram!
5. Preparing cheek cells
1. Scrape the inside of your cheek gently
with your finger
2. Dab this onto the glass slide
3. Place a drop of stain on the top
4. Carefully lower a coverslip using a
dissecting needle
5. Carefully dry off any excess stain
6. View under the microscope
