Plant Cells: Comparing Monocot and Dicot Stems
This simple, step-by-step lab activity provides a sense of realism and participation that commercially prepared slides or illustrations can't possibly duplicate. Students prepare slides using pre-cut monocot and dicot plant cross sections and macerated stem tissue. After staining and mounting the samples, students then view their slides through a microscope. Students use clearly labeled diagrams and a dichotomous to help guide them in locating and identifying a variety of different types of cells.
Details at a Glance
- 1-2 Days | 1-2 ~50 minute class periods
- 1 Activity
- Accommodates 2 classes, each with 15 groups of 2 students
- Consumables service 60 students
- Meets our criteria for supporting literacy
- Includes digital resources
- Requires a water source
Scientific Concepts
•Preparation, staining, and mounting of microscope slides
•Observing cells under a microscope.
•Utilizing diagrams and dichotomous keys for identification.
•Comparing the stem structure of monocots and dicots.
KEY VOCABULARY: dicot, monocot, phloem, pith, vascular bundle, xylem
Guides & Student Sheets
Our kits and modules provide you with everything you need so you can open, review, and teach the material confidently the next day.
- Comprehensive Teacher Guide with background information, detailed instruction, example data and answers
- Student Sheets with age appropriate background information, full procedure(s), and analysis items
- Materials necessary for the investigation (beyond common classroom items)
- Safety Data Sheets
Kit Components
- 90 Microscope slides
- 90 Cover slips
- 30 Tissue transfer brushes
- 4 Drop controlled bottles of Differential Stain
- 1 Drop controlled bottle of Glycerine
- 1 Vial of Dicot Cross-sections
- 1 Vial of Macerated Stem Tissues
- 1 Vial of Monocot Cross-sections
- 30 Student Guides
- 1 Teachers Guide with MSDS
- Not included and needed for instruction: Class set of safety eyewear, class set of microscopes.
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