How are we able to see cells?

Light microscopes allow us to see cells. With the help of slides to make thin layers of cells and hold them in place, we can zoom in up to 1,000 times the size of the specimen on a slide.

Are all cells the same? Explain.

Not all cells are the same. Cells are specialized based on their functions. For example, a nerve cell looks very different than a muscle cell due to their functions.

What are some of the different parts of a cell?

Cells have many parts, called organelles. Some examples of organelles include the nucleus, the cytoplasm, the cell membrane, the vacuole, the lysosome, and the mitochondria. Each organelle has a specific function to help keep the cell alive.

How are animal cells and plant cells different?

Animal and plant cells have many of the same organelles with a few exceptions. Plant cells have a cell wall to help give the plant structure. Plant cells also contain chloroplasts; the organelles where photosynthesis takes place.

Why is it important for scientists to know about cells?

Scientists study cells to help identify causes for diseases, which ultimately can lead to cures.

What is some evidence that cells are alive?

Cells are living things because they grow, reproduce and take in nutrients. Cells also have genetic material called DNA needed to make new cells.

What is the difference between a unicellular organism and a multicellular organism?

Single celled organisms are made up of only one cell. An amoeba is an example of a unicellular organism. Multicellular organisms are made up of more than one cell. People, dogs and plants are all examples of multicellular organisms.

Why is the mitochondria of a cell important?

The mitochondria is where sugar is converted into energy. The cell needs energy in order to carry out its everyday functions.

What function does a cell wall serve for a plant?

The cell wall gives a plant cell support and structure allowing the plant to stand upright. This is important so that the plant can get sunlight in order to do photosynthesis.

Describe what you might see if you were to look at cells through a microscope.

Depending on the power of the microscope, you would be able to see the cell membranes (or cell walls if looking at plants). You would also most likely be able to see the nucleus of each cell. Other organelles might be too small or not colored.

Why does a piece of onion skin not contain any chloroplasts?

Onions are from the root of a plant, which is typically under the ground. Chloroplasts are found mostly in the leaves of plants. The leaves are where the process of photosynthesis takes place.

What would happen if one of the organelles stopped working?

All the organelles in a cell work together to keep the cell alive. If there was no nucleus the cell wouldn’t be able to grow or reproduce. If there was no mitochondria, it would have no energy and if there was no cell membrane there wouldn’t be any cell at all.

Plant & Animal Cells

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What you will learn from this videoWhat you will learn

Cells are the basic unit of all living things.
Plant and animal cells have parts called organelles that help them function and stay organized.
We will cover the nucleus, cell wall, cell membrane, mitochondria, chloroplast, lysosomes and vacuoles.

Discussion Questions
- Before Video
  How are we able to see cells? ANSWER
  - Light microscopes allow us to see cells. With the help of slides to make thin layers of cells and hold them in place, we can zoom in up to 1,000 times the size of the specimen on a slide.
  Are all cells the same? Explain.ANSWER
  - Not all cells are the same. Cells are specialized based on their functions. For example, a nerve cell looks very different than a muscle cell due to their functions.
  What are some of the different parts of a cell?ANSWER
  - Cells have many parts, called organelles. Some examples of organelles include the nucleus, the cytoplasm, the cell membrane, the vacuole, the lysosome, and the mitochondria. Each organelle has a specific function to help keep the cell alive.
  How are animal cells and plant cells different?ANSWER
  - Animal and plant cells have many of the same organelles with a few exceptions. Plant cells have a cell wall to help give the plant structure. Plant cells also contain chloroplasts; the organelles where photosynthesis takes place.
  Why is it important for scientists to know about cells?ANSWER
  - Scientists study cells to help identify causes for diseases, which ultimately can lead to cures.
  What is some evidence that cells are alive?ANSWER
  - Cells are living things because they grow, reproduce and take in nutrients. Cells also have genetic material called DNA needed to make new cells.
- After Video
  What is the difference between a unicellular organism and a multicellular organism? ANSWER
  - Single celled organisms are made up of only one cell. An amoeba is an example of a unicellular organism. Multicellular organisms are made up of more than one cell. People, dogs and plants are all examples of multicellular organisms.
  Why is the mitochondria of a cell important?ANSWER
  - The mitochondria is where sugar is converted into energy. The cell needs energy in order to carry out its everyday functions.
  What function does a cell wall serve for a plant?ANSWER
  - The cell wall gives a plant cell support and structure allowing the plant to stand upright. This is important so that the plant can get sunlight in order to do photosynthesis.
  Describe what you might see if you were to look at cells through a microscope.ANSWER
  - Depending on the power of the microscope, you would be able to see the cell membranes (or cell walls if looking at plants). You would also most likely be able to see the nucleus of each cell. Other organelles might be too small or not colored.
  Why does a piece of onion skin not contain any chloroplasts?ANSWER
  - Onions are from the root of a plant, which is typically under the ground. Chloroplasts are found mostly in the leaves of plants. The leaves are where the process of photosynthesis takes place.
  What would happen if one of the organelles stopped working?ANSWER
  - All the organelles in a cell work together to keep the cell alive. If there was no nucleus the cell wouldn’t be able to grow or reproduce. If there was no mitochondria, it would have no energy and if there was no cell membrane there wouldn’t be any cell at all.
Vocabulary
- Cell DEFINE
- Organelle DEFINE
- Nucleus DEFINE
- Cytoplasm DEFINE
- Cell Membrane DEFINE
- Cell Wall DEFINE
- Mitochondria DEFINE
- Lysosome DEFINE
- Vacuole DEFINE
- Chloroplast DEFINE
Reading Material
DIY Activity Guide
Lesson Plan
Teacher Guide
Assessment
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