cells and cell theory
Essential Understanding
Essential Questions
Standards
7.2 Many organisms, including humans, have specialized organ systems that interact with each other to maintain dynamic internal balance.
7.2.a. All organisms are composed of one or more cells; each cell carries on life-sustaining functions.
C15. Describe the basic structures of an animal cell, including the nucleus, cytoplasm, mitochondria and cell membrane, and how they function to support life.
Connecticut Curriculum Standards and Assessment Expectations: Grades 6 - 8, Science, C INQ.1-10
Next Generation Science Standards, Science and Engineering Practices 1-8, April 2013
Lesson Objectives
Key Concepts
1. Living things have characteristics that distinguish them from nonliving things. Living things grow and develop, reproduce, adapt and respond (evolve in response) to their environment, are made up of cells, use energy and produce waste (GRACE).
2. Organisms are made of tiny cells that perform the basic life functions and keep the organism alive. Many organisms (for example yeast, algae) are single-celled, and many organisms (for example plants, fungi and animals) are made of millions of cells that work in coordination.
3. All cells come from other cells and they hold the genetic information needed for cell division and growth. When a body cell reaches a certain size, it divides into two cells, each of which contains identical genetic information. This cell division process is called mitosis and is asexual reproduction. Asexual reproduction produces an offspring that has DNA that is identical to the parent organism. Sexual reproduction produces an offspring that has a DNA that is a unique combination of the parents' DNA.
4. Homeostasis: the systems of the human body work together to maintain the body’s best condition for survival.
PowerPoint Presentations
Is it Alive? The Characteristics of Life
Introduction to Cell Theory - 6th Grade
Biogenesis vs Spontaneous Generation - 7th and 8th Grade
Class Assignments
Is It Alive? The Characteristics of Life reading text
Is it Alive? The Characteristics of Life - engage activity 7th and 8th
Is it Alive? Characteristics of Life video worksheet
Characteristics of Life - Engage and Explore
Links for Media Used in Class
Characteristics of Life
The wacky history of cell theory - Lauren Royal-Woods
Cell Theory
Worksheets/Study Aids
See quizlets below
Other Cool Stuff Related to These Lessons
Examples of Omnivores
Euglena in Darkfield at 100X, 200X and 400X
Flexible Movement in Euglena 2
Protists- Amoeba, Euglena, Paramecium
Amoeba eats two paramecia (Amoeba's lunch)
White Blood Cell Chases Bacteria
Bill Nye the Science Guy episode 17 Cells
Beautiful Human Body Under Microscope
Pond Life
Virtual Pond Dip
How to collect Microscopic Pond Life
How Penicillin Kills Bacteria (POP!)
The Cell Theory Song
Virtual Cell Tour
Voyage inside the cell
Voyage inside the Cell: Membrane
Animal Cell
The incredible human journey
Characteristics of Life Review Guide:
Is a crystal alive? Why or why not? Consider the 5 Characteristics of Life
What is homeostasis?
List and explain the 5 characteristics of living organisms
Grow and Develop: all living things have a life span and a life cycle
Reproduce: all living things make offspring either through asexual or sexual reproduction
asexual reproduction: the offspring has DNA identical to the parent
sexual reproduction: the parents combine their DNA to create an offspring that has DNA that is
unique and different from the parents
Adapt: all living things move, respond to their environment and evolve as a species in order to achieve homeostasis
Cellular: all living things are made up of cells. Living organisms can be made up of one cell (unicellular) or many cells (multicellular)
Energy: all living things need energy to survive. Some organisms are producers, some are consumers, and some are decomposers.
- There are characteristics that classify something as living or nonliving.
- All living organisms are composed of one or more cells
- Within each cell, there are structures that carry on life-sustaining functions.
Essential Questions
- How do we classify something as being alive?
- How do we know living things are made up of cells (the history of Cell Theory)?
- Given the basic structures of an animal cell, including the nucleus, cytoplasm, mitochondria and cell membrane, how do they function to support life.
Standards
7.2 Many organisms, including humans, have specialized organ systems that interact with each other to maintain dynamic internal balance.
7.2.a. All organisms are composed of one or more cells; each cell carries on life-sustaining functions.
C15. Describe the basic structures of an animal cell, including the nucleus, cytoplasm, mitochondria and cell membrane, and how they function to support life.
Connecticut Curriculum Standards and Assessment Expectations: Grades 6 - 8, Science, C INQ.1-10
Next Generation Science Standards, Science and Engineering Practices 1-8, April 2013
Lesson Objectives
- Define what it means to be living.
- Know the five characteristics of living organisms.
- Describe the five characteristics shared by all living organisms.
- Identify and summarize the role of the five characteristics shared by all living organisms.
- Compare and contrast living organisms that are single celled with multi-cellular organisms.
- Explain and describe the three tenants of Cell Theory
Key Concepts
1. Living things have characteristics that distinguish them from nonliving things. Living things grow and develop, reproduce, adapt and respond (evolve in response) to their environment, are made up of cells, use energy and produce waste (GRACE).
2. Organisms are made of tiny cells that perform the basic life functions and keep the organism alive. Many organisms (for example yeast, algae) are single-celled, and many organisms (for example plants, fungi and animals) are made of millions of cells that work in coordination.
3. All cells come from other cells and they hold the genetic information needed for cell division and growth. When a body cell reaches a certain size, it divides into two cells, each of which contains identical genetic information. This cell division process is called mitosis and is asexual reproduction. Asexual reproduction produces an offspring that has DNA that is identical to the parent organism. Sexual reproduction produces an offspring that has a DNA that is a unique combination of the parents' DNA.
4. Homeostasis: the systems of the human body work together to maintain the body’s best condition for survival.
PowerPoint Presentations
Is it Alive? The Characteristics of Life
Introduction to Cell Theory - 6th Grade
Biogenesis vs Spontaneous Generation - 7th and 8th Grade
Class Assignments
Is It Alive? The Characteristics of Life reading text
Is it Alive? The Characteristics of Life - engage activity 7th and 8th
Is it Alive? Characteristics of Life video worksheet
Characteristics of Life - Engage and Explore
Links for Media Used in Class
Characteristics of Life
The wacky history of cell theory - Lauren Royal-Woods
Cell Theory
Worksheets/Study Aids
See quizlets below
Other Cool Stuff Related to These Lessons
Examples of Omnivores
Euglena in Darkfield at 100X, 200X and 400X
Flexible Movement in Euglena 2
Protists- Amoeba, Euglena, Paramecium
Amoeba eats two paramecia (Amoeba's lunch)
White Blood Cell Chases Bacteria
Bill Nye the Science Guy episode 17 Cells
Beautiful Human Body Under Microscope
Pond Life
Virtual Pond Dip
How to collect Microscopic Pond Life
How Penicillin Kills Bacteria (POP!)
The Cell Theory Song
Virtual Cell Tour
Voyage inside the cell
Voyage inside the Cell: Membrane
Animal Cell
The incredible human journey
Characteristics of Life Review Guide:
Is a crystal alive? Why or why not? Consider the 5 Characteristics of Life
What is homeostasis?
List and explain the 5 characteristics of living organisms
Grow and Develop: all living things have a life span and a life cycle
Reproduce: all living things make offspring either through asexual or sexual reproduction
asexual reproduction: the offspring has DNA identical to the parent
sexual reproduction: the parents combine their DNA to create an offspring that has DNA that is
unique and different from the parents
Adapt: all living things move, respond to their environment and evolve as a species in order to achieve homeostasis
Cellular: all living things are made up of cells. Living organisms can be made up of one cell (unicellular) or many cells (multicellular)
Energy: all living things need energy to survive. Some organisms are producers, some are consumers, and some are decomposers.