Introduction
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In this activity you will investigate some of the important purposes
of living cells. By understanding how cells operate, you can better
understanding how you as a living thing operate and have a better
appreciation of your role in the entire biosphere.
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Task
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In this lesson you will visit the Internet sites below and answer the
questions and complete the drawings on your worksheet.
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Resources
and the
Process
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Go to Cells Alive
and choose Plant Cell from the left side. From this new picture, choose
the Cell Membrane and (1.) write a brief description of this structure.
Click on Ion Channels to observe embryonic heart cells
beating. To understand how these cells operate, click on Ion Channels on
this page and study the video clip. Often we call the cell membrane the
"gate keeper." (2.) What are you observing in this video clip that
supports this role of the cell membrane.
Go "Back" to the Plant Cell and click on Cell
Wall. (3.) Does it sound like the cell wall is a gate keeper? How would you
describe its role?
While you're at this site, locate the video clip of
"Ouch....Anatomy of a Splinter" and (4.) describe what you observe.
(You will have to click on "ooouuuuuch" to see the video.)
Now go to The
Cell Membrane and (5.) explain how the membrane is like a school crossing
guard and what is meant my the terms "hydrophobic" and "hydrophilic."
Use this same page to locate and (6.) draw the picture that
illustrates the "crossing guard" thing.
Use this same page to locate a (7.) draw a picture of the
Cell Wall of a plant that has a "normal" amount of water.
Visit Leeuwenhoek.
(8.) What did he feel was his duty as a scientist? Why does this man show up in
almost all of Life Science books?
Go to Osmosis.
Click on the video for the hypertonic solution and (9.) describe what happens
to the cell; click on the video for the hypotonic solution and describe
what happens to the cell. Describe an "isotonic" solution. Does
diffusion occur if a cell is in an isotonic solution?
Now you get to watch a movie. Click on BrainPop
Movies. Watch this short video all the way through the first time.
Then carefully read the following questions. Now, watch the video again
and take (10.) note of the information you need to answer the questions below:
What is Moby doing in the background at the beginning of the
movie? What does this have to do with this movie?
What is the cytoplasm?
What is the job of the cell membrane?
In what structures is energy "made"?
Draw and label four of the different types of cells shown in the
video.
Approximately, how many cells does your body contain?
What is the purpose of mitosis?
Click on Cells
Are Us to see how we all started off as one cell, but now are made of
trillions of cells. (11.) Write a brief summary of this process.
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Worksheet
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Click here to download the worksheet for this
activity.
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Teacher Tips
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Click on Back in the upper left corner to
return to the webquest to read directions and move to the next site. If
you ever get lost, click on the Home button to get back to Mr.
Holthaus' web page.
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Evaluation
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This is a 100 point project. Your grade is based on:
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how well your group functions
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how well your paper is completed
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how much effort you put into your drawings
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how organized your responses are
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Conclusion
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There is much to learn about the cell. As you continue through your
study of Biology you will be amazed at how organized and complex this very
tiny object really is. But for now, it is important that you understand
that it is the basic unit of structure of all living things, its membrane
is critical for the cell to operate properly, and that most cells are able
to make another like themselves through the process of mitosis.
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