Characteristics of Dicot and Monocot Stem and Root

Materials Required

Real Lab Procedure

  • Take a blade and a sunflower stem to be sectioned.
  • Dip the top of the material and the blade in water.
  • Hold the material to be sectioned horizontally between the thump and the first finger of your left hand.
  • Hold the blade in the right hand with the edge of the blade facing you and handle at right angles to it.
  • Cut the sections of the material quickly using the blade.
  • Transfer the sections in Petri dish containing water.
  • Using a brush, select a thin uniform and complete section and place it on the glass slide.
  • Using a dropper, take some safranin solution.
  • Pour one drop of safranin solution over the section and allow it to stand for two minutes.
  • Remove  excess stain using a filter paper.
  • Pour a drop of glycerine over the section.
  • Place a coverslip gently on the section with the aid of a needle.
  • Remove the excess glycerine using a filter paper.
  • Repeat the same procedure for the sunflower root, maize stem and maize root and prepare the slides.
  • Observe each section under the microscope.

Simulator Procedure (as performed through Online Labs)

  • To select a particular transverse section of stem or root sample, click on the corresponding icon.
  • Click and drag the prepared slide of sample and place it on the stage of the compound microscope.
  • Click on the eye piece of the compound microscope to view the transverse section of the sample.
  • The power of the lens can be changed by selecting the required lens power from the drop down list ‘Select objective lens’.
  • You can move the slide to observe each part of the sample by clicking on the directional arrow of the ‘Slide adjustment’.
  • To repeat the experiment, click the ‘Reset’ button.

Precaution

  • Dip the top of the material and blade in water before cutting the section.
  • Brush should be used while handling the section.
  • Remove extra glycerine with filter paper.