Plant & Animal Cells
Celebrate Cells
PURPOSE:
Students will explore and investigate plant and animal cells and some unicellular organisms using internet resources.
Students will identify key cell organelles and know their functions.
Students will be introduced to and investigate one type of cell division process, mitosis.
Created by: Fran Pijor
Diocese of Orange
RESOURCES:
A computer with Internet access, the necessary plug-ins installed for the interactive activities, and a printer will be needed.
You will need the items to complete the discovery tasks and labs. (See the materials list for each lab activity.)
Have pencil, paper, and science notebooks ready at all times.
DISCOVERY TASKS:
Cells are the basic building blocks for biotic substances. Cells contain small structures called organelles allowing them to get and use energy, grow and develop, eliminate waste, respond to changes, and reproduce. All living cells whether animal, plant, fungi, protist, or bacteria, must be able to perform these life processes. Therefore, similarities and differences exist in the composition of these cells.
ACTIVITY #1: CRISS-CROSS PUZZLE
Grab your pencil, paper, and science notebook and also visit these sites to continue learning more about organelles and cells. As you explore collect more data in your science notebook to assist you in creating a challenging puzzle.
BrainPop - Be certain to check out the Cell Movie, Activity Page, Tune in with Cassie & Rita, and Experiment with Bob the Ex-labrat.
Life Science Connection - Explore the plant and animal cells, but don't miss the bacteria, protist, and fungi safaris.
EXTRA CREDIT: In your science notebook make a drawing of the gumbolimbo tree that resembles the photograph
after you successfully complete the expedition (self-test).
Animal Cell - Be certain to click on the plants and animal cell link for tons of great information.
Animal and Plant Cells - Here you'll have an opportunity to manipulate a virtual microscope.
Cells Alive - Select Plant Cell in the menu to start and don't stop until you've toured the plant, animal, and bacterium cell.
PUZZLE: Using your science notes and the Internet data in teams of two, create your CRISS-CROSS PUZZLE . GOOD LUCK!
Incorporate 20-25 terms and/or facts.
Print 3 copies.
Submit one blank puzzle and one completed copy as the answer key.
Exchange the third copy with another 2-member team. Try your hand at their puzzle and submit it when completed.
ACTIVITY #2: CELL MODELS
Cells are microscopic and most can only be seen through the use of a microscope. Now that you're familiar with many of a cell's organelles, you are about to take a tour of a virtual cell.
In your science notebook, entitled Virtual Cell, write five discoveries you made about cells on your journey.
Your turn to make a 3-D model of a plant cell. Be creative, bring other organelle materials. (Don't forget teacher authorization.)
Now you have the opportunity to create a cell model to wear! (See teacher for Cell T-shirt Project instruction sheet.)
In your science notebook, entitled Diagram of a Typical Plant Cell, record your answers #1-15.
EXTRA CREDIT: Visit the Java Based Tutorial at this site, then in your science notebook number #1-11, identify each organelle, and finally match it to its special fact. (Oops, no #8!)
SPECIAL FACTS: *contains m-DNA and ribosomes *interior membranes are surrounded by atoms *not a membrane bound organelle *major component is most abundant organic compound *filled with cell sap*semi-fluid substance *semi-permeable membrane *no additional info given *contains nuclear pores*coin-like stacks of thylakoid membranes
ACTIVITY #3: MITOSIS - ONION ROOT TIP PROJECT
As most cells grow and develop they eventually reach a point of reproducing. Using a division process called mitosis, cells go through five different stages. Explore these five phases when you click here for the Cell Cycle and Mitosis Tutorial.
Obtain a copy of the Onion Root Tip activity sheet from your teacher.
As you explore the tutorial, compare and combine information with your science notes.
To begin the Onion Root Tip Project click on the phase image and place it under the phase title where you believe it belongs.
Submit your activity sheet with a graph illustrating your results concerning the time spent on different phases of the cell cycle.
ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES:
CELL THEORY RAP - If memorizing is tough to do, try a RAP; its up to you! Here's a sample so you can start, just add on to show your smarts.
** Listen close to the story I tell: it's the rapping story of a living cell. It's a happy tune that's sort of cheery, about a real tough topic called cell theory. *** Around the cell, you'll find a "skin." This cellular membrane holds the whole cell in. But its job isn't simple, there's no doubt, it lets some things in and some things out. ***
ALIEN CELL GAME - Destroy alien cells that have invaded your body before they undergo mitosis. Use the arrow keys to move your microscopic ship. Read the instructions for the game for helpful hints.
A Few Internet Resources:
Sheppard's Science Resources
Sheppard's Useful Links
Email: fp1j0r@msn.com
Created August 16, 2001
Last Revised August 16, 2001
Teacher Notes
Suggested Grade Level: 7
Science Content Standards:
Grade 7: S.C.O.R.E. (1a, b, c, d, e)
Grade 7: Investigation and Experimentation (7a, b, c, d, e)
S.C.O.R.E. Lessons Standards Search by Grade and Subject
S.C.O.R.E. Standards and Framework
California Content Standards Grades K-12
California Content Standards Grades K-12 - Science - PDF Format
(General) Background:
Students should have :
an understanding in lab procedures
cooperative learning skills working in 4 and/or 2 member teams
a working knowledge of using the Internet
an introduction to the content material on cell organelles and mitosis.
Criss-Cross Puzzle Background:
Students need to enter a large enough number of squares in STEP 2 for their puzzles to include all all their word and clue entries. (Have them experiment!)
Remind students to keep each word and its clue to one line.
Cell T-shirt Project Background:
Students need an inexpensive, white, adult undershirt that is large enough for them to wear.
Using a pencil very lightly have the students draw two large cells (a plant cell and its organelles on one side, the animal cell on the other) filling the majority of the surface area.
Specify the organelles you want the students to include.
Colors should assist in identifying the organelles. (i.e. chloroplasts = green; or if blue is selected to color the vacuole in the plant cell, then it should also be used for the vacuoles in the animal cell.)
Have students insert a piece of cardboard/tag board inside the T-shirt, then add color using markers (or other coloring materials).
Use as a bulletin board and/or room display. Have CELEBRATE CELL DAY and have your students wear their shirt, give presentations to other classes, etc.
Mitosis - Onion Root Tip Background:
Click here for the Online Onion Root Tip worksheet.
Students need to print results before quitting graph activity.
Skills:.
Computer literacy
Use of Internet resources
Interpreting and comparing data
Making inferences and predicting
Graphing data
Diagramming
Communication of ideas in oral and written format
Assessment:
Areas of assessment may include:
Projects/Activities
Lab experiments
Science notebook
Content knowledge and comprehension
Vocabulary
Interactive activities and quizzes
Methods of assessing:
Peer evaluation
Rubrics
Level of "engaged" involvement
Student presentations
Enrichment:
Video tape the rap presentations with students dressed in either their Cell T-shirts, cell costumes, or "rapper" attire.
Using iMovie2, make a Celebrate Cells movie incorporating segments of all the activities.
Additional Cell Sites and Activities:
http://www.resa.net/plymouth-canton/discovery/science/cells.htm
http://www.sciencenet.org.uk/database/Biology/Cell_Biology/b00300b.html
Resources:
Sources for 3D viewers:
http://www.addeddimension.com/
http://www.3-d-glasses.com/anaglyphic.html