Which statement describes why iodine solution is added to onion epidermis cells before viewing under a microscope?
A - OCR Gateway - GCSE Biology - Question 5 - 2021 - Paper 1
Question 5
Which statement describes why iodine solution is added to onion epidermis cells before viewing under a microscope?
A. To colour any protein in the cell.
B. To kill... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Which statement describes why iodine solution is added to onion epidermis cells before viewing under a microscope?
A - OCR Gateway - GCSE Biology - Question 5 - 2021 - Paper 1
Step 1
To stain starch.
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Answer
Iodine solution is primarily used to stain starch in biological specimens. When applied to onion epidermis cells, the iodine interacts with any starch present, turning blue-black. This enhances the visibility of the cellular structures under a microscope, allowing for clearer observation and study of the cell's components.