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Resolving the details of the cell requires special compounds that label the structures and organelles of the cell. Unfortunately, the laboratory technician has mislabeled the compounds used to stain internal structures of the cell. The teacher has prepared very specific cells for you to examine, and part of your job will be to identify the unknown structures identified by each compound and discuss the relationship between structure and function.

There are seven compounds that stain seven separate parts of the cell. Identify what each compound is staining by examining the four samples below:

Cell 1: This cell was collected from the blood and is responsible for secreting compounds that kill microbes.

Cell 2: This cell was collected from the blood, and it is capable of leaving the blood to enter our tissues. The ability to move around the body like this requires a lot of energy.

Cell 3: This cell is commonly found in our connective tissue. It grows by fusing with smaller cells, which contribute their cytoplasm and organelles to the growing cell. It’s involved in phagocytosis.

Cell 4: This cell was collected from the liver, and it’s main role is to absorb compounds from the blood. It does this by transporting these compounds into its cytoplasm by way of membrane-bound transport proteins.

Start by choosing one of the four cell samples below: