Question

post - lab questions: 1. we used dye to help us view cheek and onion cells. dye might make microorganisms more visible; why would we avoid using dye with our samples today? 2. some of the microorganisms you saw were probably moving. what could be the purpose(s) of this movement? 3. some microorganisms might have had a greenish color. what could a green color tell you about an organism? 4. how might you be able to tell if an organism is a prokaryote? 5. how might you be able to tell if an organism is a protist?

Explanation:

1. Dye can interfere with cell - structure observation and may be toxic to cells, so it was avoided.
2. Movement could indicate motility, foraging, or response to stimuli in microorganisms.
3. Green color might suggest the presence of chlorophyll, indicating photosynthetic ability.
4. Prokaryotes lack a nucleus and membrane - bound organelles. One could check for these features under a microscope.
5. Protists are eukaryotic. Checking for a nucleus and complex organelles can help identify them.

Answer:

1. Dye can distort cell structure and be harmful to cells, so it was avoided.
2. The movement could be for locomotion, searching for food, or responding to environmental changes.
3. A green color may imply the organism has chlorophyll and can perform photosynthesis.
4. Look for the absence of a nucleus and membrane - bound organelles to identify a prokaryote.
5. Check for a nucleus and complex organelles to tell if an organism is a protist.