I'm doing a lab report, and we are looking at an onion cell under a microscope. The teacher asks to explain why we put iodine on the sell. (ANSWER)= Cleaning it ?
http://www.google.com/#q=iodine+on+onion+cells
When observing an onion cell under a microscope, adding iodine serves a specific purpose, which is not related to cleaning the cell. Iodine is commonly used in microscopy to stain the specimen, making it easier to visualize and study its cellular structures.
The cell walls of plants contain a complex carbohydrate known as cellulose. This polysaccharide provides structural support to the cell. When iodine is applied to the onion cell, it reacts with starch molecules, producing a blue-black color. The presence of this color indicates the presence of starch, which is commonly found in plant cells.
In the context of your lab report, you can explain that adding iodine to the onion cell helps you observe the presence or absence of starch granules within the cell. This staining technique enables you to explore the cellular structure and organization, which is an important aspect of the experiment you are conducting.
Therefore, adding iodine to the onion cell is not for cleaning purposes but rather for enhancing visibility and studying specific components of the cell.