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Genesee
Meridian Academy Boston, MA
Onion Skin Under a
Microscope
4 th^ February, 2021
ABSTRACT
By preparing a slide of 1 single onion layer and observing it under the microscope at different zooms, I, and anybody else who attempts this experiment, will be able to see essential parts of the onion cell and any other plant cell. I hypothesized that I would be able to see the scaliness and separation of each cell wall, but not that I would be able to see things as vital to life as the nucleus.
BACKGROUND
An onion is a common staple in many kitchens, the basis of many cuisines and a scientific wonder. However, the knowledge of what an onion looks like 40, 100, and 400 times magnified is unknown to many. Before beginning my experiment, I hypothesized that the onion would be grainy and textured, like grains of white rice lined up against each other.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In order to begin this experiment, I used: ● A microscope ● One plastic cup ● Water ● Pipet ● Tweezers ● Onion ● Paper Towel ● Microscope Slide ● Slide Cover
The methods to prepare this experiment were as follows: ● Prepare slide ○ Fill up plastic cup with water ○ Using the pipet, drop two drops of water onto a microscope slide ○ Peel off a single layer of onion using the tweezers ○ Place onion on slide ○ Using the pipet, drop one more drop of water on top of the onion ○ Place slide cover on top ● Turn the microscope light to high. ● Place slide on microscope with 40x zoom ○ Observe ● Place slide on microscope with 100x zoom ○ Observe ● Decrease light and place slide on microscope with 400x zoom ○ Observe
DATA AND ANALYSIS
As the Methods section instructs, I analyzed the onion with each zoom and without any slide for proper comparison. My observations are as follows: ● Microscope w/ no slide ○ Yellow (from light) with small dust scribbles ● Onion Slide 40x Magnification (see image >>>) ○ Looks like snakeskin ○ Multilayered ○ Two black lines (either where the water is or where folds in the onions are) ○ Like mountains? ● (<<<<< see image) Onion slide 100x Magnification ○ Squiggly lines around rounded rectangular non-connecting bricklike shapes.
