Practical 6
Vascular Tisue in Plant Stem
To identify sclerenchyma fibres, phloem sieve tubes and xylem vessels and their
location within stems through a light microscope.
Hypothesis:
If a very thin cross section of a plant tissue is cut and placed under the microscope correctly,
we should be able to view and produce a scientific drawing of a vascular bundle.
For this experiment, the plant that was examined was celery. This is because it’s one of the
clearest examples to show the inside of the plant's stem, making it easier to view the
vascular bundle. The vascular tissue system in plants is the transport system made up of
two primary specialised tissues: xylem, which transports water from the roots upwards to the
leaves of the plant for photosynthesis, and the phloem, which transports glucose from the
leaves to all parts of the plant. The xylem and phloem are arranged in vascular bundles,
which is visible by cutting a cross section through the stem. The xylem will be visible on the
inner side of the vascular bundle in the stem while the phloem is located on the outer side of
the vascular bundle.
Equipment:
● Celery piece
● Scalpel
● White tile
● Small beaker
● Watch glass
● Microscope and microscope slides
● Distilled water
● Toluidine blue
● Forceps
Variables:
There are not necessarily any independent or dependent variables
● Control-same size celery piece,same amount of stain
Risk Assessment;
➔ Probability/severity of risk: 1-Low, 2-Medium, 3-High/Likely
➔ Total Risk: 1, 2,3, 4, 6, 9
Risk Hazards Probability Severity Total risk Precaution taken
Sharp cutting and 2 2 4 Take care when
objects injuring handling these
E.g: scalpel yourself with utensils,always carry
the blade them safely and
securely
Glass Smash and 1 2 3 Take care when
equipment cut yourself moving the equipment
to ensure it doesn’t
smash
Toluidine Irritant, 2 1 3 Wear gloves and goggles
clean up spillages
stain Stains immediately ,use forceps
when handling the stained
celery
Vascular Tisue in Plant Stem
To identify sclerenchyma fibres, phloem sieve tubes and xylem vessels and their
location within stems through a light microscope.
Hypothesis:
If a very thin cross section of a plant tissue is cut and placed under the microscope correctly,
we should be able to view and produce a scientific drawing of a vascular bundle.
For this experiment, the plant that was examined was celery. This is because it’s one of the
clearest examples to show the inside of the plant's stem, making it easier to view the
vascular bundle. The vascular tissue system in plants is the transport system made up of
two primary specialised tissues: xylem, which transports water from the roots upwards to the
leaves of the plant for photosynthesis, and the phloem, which transports glucose from the
leaves to all parts of the plant. The xylem and phloem are arranged in vascular bundles,
which is visible by cutting a cross section through the stem. The xylem will be visible on the
inner side of the vascular bundle in the stem while the phloem is located on the outer side of
the vascular bundle.
Equipment:
● Celery piece
● Scalpel
● White tile
● Small beaker
● Watch glass
● Microscope and microscope slides
● Distilled water
● Toluidine blue
● Forceps
Variables:
There are not necessarily any independent or dependent variables
● Control-same size celery piece,same amount of stain
Risk Assessment;
➔ Probability/severity of risk: 1-Low, 2-Medium, 3-High/Likely
➔ Total Risk: 1, 2,3, 4, 6, 9
Risk Hazards Probability Severity Total risk Precaution taken
Sharp cutting and 2 2 4 Take care when
objects injuring handling these
E.g: scalpel yourself with utensils,always carry
the blade them safely and
securely
Glass Smash and 1 2 3 Take care when
equipment cut yourself moving the equipment
to ensure it doesn’t
smash
Toluidine Irritant, 2 1 3 Wear gloves and goggles
clean up spillages
stain Stains immediately ,use forceps
when handling the stained
celery
