Fern Rhizome | Onion Peel | 08/06/2026
Jun 10, 2026 • 3:43 PM UTC
India
140x Magnification
Workshops and Events
Aaheli Chatterjee
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Before this class ["Exploring The Microcosm; LG-AUP'26"], microscopy was something I associated with sophisticated laboratory equipment, not a microscope assembled from paper. So, when I found out that we would be using a foldscope to observe cells and tissues and much more, I was both intrigued and sceptical. Could such a simple device really reveal the microscopic organisation of living structures?
The onion peel was surprisingly difficult to prepare. Getting a thin, intact layer took several attempts, and air bubbles trapped under the tape often interfered with the view. Focusing the foldscope also required patience, as even small movements could blur the image. Although frustrating at times, these challenges made the process more engaging and rewarding.
The fern rhizome revealed a highly organised internal structure. At higher magnifications, I could distinguish different tissue regions, especially the vascular bundles in the centre. Their dense arrangement contrasted with the surrounding cells, demonstrating how plant structures are adapted to specific functions.
The onion peel looked completely different. The cells appeared as neat rows of rectangular units with clearly visible cell walls. In some areas, I could even identify the nucleus. Seeing actual cells rather than textbook diagrams made the observation feel much more real.
Overall, the session showed me how much complexity exists within ordinary plant tissues. Two samples that seemed similar to the naked eye revealed entirely different patterns under the foldscope. The experience left me curious about what other hidden structures can be discovered through microscopic observation.
Fern Rhizome at:
50x, 140x, 340x
Onion Peel at:
50x, 140x
have been attached.
The onion peel was surprisingly difficult to prepare. Getting a thin, intact layer took several attempts, and air bubbles trapped under the tape often interfered with the view. Focusing the foldscope also required patience, as even small movements could blur the image. Although frustrating at times, these challenges made the process more engaging and rewarding.
The fern rhizome revealed a highly organised internal structure. At higher magnifications, I could distinguish different tissue regions, especially the vascular bundles in the centre. Their dense arrangement contrasted with the surrounding cells, demonstrating how plant structures are adapted to specific functions.
The onion peel looked completely different. The cells appeared as neat rows of rectangular units with clearly visible cell walls. In some areas, I could even identify the nucleus. Seeing actual cells rather than textbook diagrams made the observation feel much more real.
Overall, the session showed me how much complexity exists within ordinary plant tissues. Two samples that seemed similar to the naked eye revealed entirely different patterns under the foldscope. The experience left me curious about what other hidden structures can be discovered through microscopic observation.
Fern Rhizome at:
50x, 140x, 340x
Onion Peel at:
50x, 140x
have been attached.
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