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achiles's picture

Lab 3

Given the task of theorizing on the relationship between the size of an organism and the size of its cells, we hypothesize that there is none.
In order to carry out this experiment, we used a microscope to observe samples from several different organisms. We used eye piece scales 4x, 10x, and 40x to generally observe differences between the size, shape, color, and boundedness of cells within each sample. In order to create a uniform means of comparing cell size, we focused on the eyepiece with 40x objective. For each organism, we used the 40x eyepiece to measure the average cell sizes within each sample as denoted by the cell's diameter (length where appropriate). Our findings are as follows:
Buttercup: Average cell size: 62.5 micrometers
Algae: Average cell size: 12.5 micrometers
Pig Jejunum: (length) 275 micrometers

Human uterus average cell size: (length) 25 micrometers

Earthworm average cell size: (length) 75 micrometers

Pine tree average cell size (length): 50 micrometers

Moss average cell size (length): 37.5 micrometers

We believe that our diverse findings are without pattern and largely support our hypothesis that cell size does not correspond to organism size. We did notice some patterns, however, amongst our various cells. The plant cells, found in the Buttercup, Algae, Pine Tree, and Moss, were more distinguished (as they had walls around them) than were the cells found in animals. But, as stated before, we found no correlation between the average cell diameter in micrometers and the size of the respective organisms.

 

Anna Chiles. Debbie Chin

 

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