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Plant & Animal Cells

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- 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.
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Discussion Questions
- Before VideoHow 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.
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.
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.
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.
Scientists study cells to help identify causes for diseases, which ultimately can lead to cures.
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 VideoWhat 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.
The mitochondria is where sugar is converted into energy. The cell needs energy in order to carry out its everyday functions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Vocabulary
- Cell DEFINE
The basic unit of all living things.
- Organelle DEFINE
Parts of a cell that help it function.
- Nucleus DEFINE
The organelle that contains DNA, the genetic material of the cell.
- Cytoplasm DEFINE
The jelly-like liquid inside the cell where the organelles are found.
- Cell Membrane DEFINE
The thin, flexible barrier surrounding the cell.
- Cell Wall DEFINE
Found outside the cell membrane, this organelle gives the plant structure. Animal cells do not have cell walls.
- Mitochondria DEFINE
Considered the powerhouse of a cell, this organelle is where sugar is used to produce energy.
- Lysosome DEFINE
A membrane bound organelle that is like the trash and recycling center of a cell. It helps the cell get rid of waste.
- Vacuole DEFINE
A membrane bound organelle where fluids and other nutrients are stored for the cell. It is like a reservoir.
- Chloroplast DEFINE
This organelle is where photosynthesis takes place. Animal cells do not have chloroplast.
- Cell DEFINE
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Reading Material
Download as PDF Download PDF View as Seperate PageWHAT IS A CELL?Cells are the basic unit of all living things. All cells need energy, get rid of waste and contain genetic material to make more cells. Some living things are made of only 1 cell (unicellular) and other organisms like humans are made of many cells working together (multicellular).
To better understand cells…
WHAT IS A CELL?. Cells are the basic unit of all living things. All cells need energy, get rid of waste and contain genetic material to make more cells. Some living things are made of only 1 cell (unicellular) and other organisms like humans are made of many cells working together (multicellular). To better understand cells…LET’S BREAK IT DOWN!
All living things are made of cells.
Cells can be seen with a light microscope which can magnify objects up to 1,000 times. Typically a microscope slide is prepared which creates a thin layer of cells and holds them in place. Dye is used to stain the cells, making them easier to see. Cells can range in size. For example, an amoeba is about 1 mm in length and the biggest ones can be seen without a microscope. A red blood cell is 100x smaller at 0.01 mm and a bacteria is 1000x smaller than an amoeba at about 0.001 mm.
All living things are made of cells. Cells can be seen with a light microscope which can magnify objects up to 1,000 times. Typically a microscope slide is prepared which creates a thin layer of cells and holds them in place. Dye is used to stain the cells, making them easier to see. Cells can range in size. For example, an amoeba is about 1 mm in length and the biggest ones can be seen without a microscope. A red blood cell is 100x smaller at 0.01 mm and a bacteria is 1000x smaller than an amoeba at about 0.001 mm.Plant & Animal Cells Have Organelles.
Organelles are parts of a cell that help the cell to function and stay organized. The mitochondria, for example, is where sugars are used to produce energy. The vacuole is a membrane bound organelle that stores fluids. The cell membrane controls what comes in and out of a cell. Plant and animal cells need organelles in order to carry out their everyday functions.
Plant & Animal Cells Have Organelles. Organelles are parts of a cell that help the cell to function and stay organized. The mitochondria, for example, is where sugars are used to produce energy. The vacuole is a membrane bound organelle that stores fluids. The cell membrane controls what comes in and out of a cell. Plant and animal cells need organelles in order to carry out their everyday functions.Cells are specialized, depending on their function.
Not all cells are the same. In the human body, for example, there are many kinds of cells. A nerve cell has long arm like features to help the cell communicate with other nerve cells. A muscle cell is more tubular in shape and it can get longer and shorter when muscles contract. These kinds of differences between the cells of an organism is called cell differentiation. Cells are structured in ways that help them achieve their function.