You will be working together as a group exploring web sites that have been selected to gain the knowledge needed to complete the 'Explain' assignment. Everyone must complete all the 'Explore' activities individually.

Phase 1 - Background Information
In class, we explored a collage of living organisms trying to identify what characteristics allow them be classified as 'living'. From this we determined that each living things must have the following characteristics:

Living things are made of cells.

Living things obtain and use energy.

Living things grow and develop.

Living things reproduce.

Living things respond to their environment.

Living things adapt to their environment.

Now its time to ask the essential question of why is the cell considered the basic unit of life. Our bodies are made up of billions of cells: blood cells, brain cells, skin cells, and many, many more. When you look at your skin, you are not able to see each individual cell because they are very small in size. In fact, 1 square centimeter of your skin contains about 100,000 cells! Although cells are very tiny and hard to see with the naked eye, they are actually very complex. Each individual cell is a 'city' of life made up of complex organelles or cell organs. Each of these organelles within the cell has a unique and special job that makes all life possible.

• Term Search

Phase 2 - Roles
TEAMWORK: Teamwork breeds success! You and your partners are on a mission to unlock the secret of cells. It's up to you to discover what cells are and the differences betweeen cells of plants and cells of animals.To aid you in your mission, you will navigate internet sites, and share your knowledge with another team of investigators.

Each team member will be working individually collecting information about the cell. When all of the information is collected the teams will work together to create a PowerPoint Presentation.

What is a Cell?:

• What is a Cell
• Learning about Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic Cells
• Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells
• I know that - eukaryotic cells

After completing this activity you should be able to:

* Explain what is a cell and how it is important to living things.

* Explain the differences between prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic
cells.

Checklist of assignments:
1. Complete the worksheet provided.

2. In your notebook: define what is a prokaryotic cell; define what
is a eukaryotic cell. Create a table listing what features a
prokaryotic cell has. Create a table listing what features a
eukaryotic cells has.

Assessment assignment:
Create a 'diamond' chart to compare and contrast a prokaryotic
cell and a eukaryotic cell.

What are the different levels of organization?:

• Organization of Cells

After completing this activity you should be able to:

* Explain the levels of organization in an organism.

* Identify the four main kinds of tissue in the body.

* Identify examples of organ systems involved in each of the
following functions: reproduction, growth, maintenance, and
regulation.

* Describe how organ systems help the body respond to the
environment.

Checklist of Assignments:
* Complete the worksheet provided

Assessment:
* Create a flow chart showing the different levels of
organization on the poster paper provided. Use color paper
to 'show' the different levels.

What are the different structures in a cell?:

• Virtual Cell Tour
• Cell structure and processes
• Animal Cells
• Journey through the Cell
• Ask a Biologist about Cells
• A Tour of the Cell

After completing this activity you should be able:

* Describe the parts of the animal cell and the parts of the
plant cell.

* Describe how the function (job) of the organelle (part) is
important to the organism.

Checklist of Activities:
1. Complete Worksheet provided.

2. In your notebook, create a list of all organelles (parts) that
cells may have and their function (job).

3. Complete a detailed diagram of both a plant and animal cell.


Assessments:
1. Complete a 'diamond' diagram identifying the differences and similarities of a plant and animal cell. Use the following questions to assist you; What cell parts do Animal cells have that Plant cells do not have; What cell parts do Plant cells have that Animal cells do not have; Why do Plant cells have cell walls and Animal cells do not; Why do think Plant cells have bigger vacuoles than Animal cells.

Review Games:

• Cell Jeopardy
• Cell Vocabulary Review
• Cell Scrabble

Use these links to review the terms learned in this webquest. Remember if you can't explain a topic to someone else, then you don't know the topic.

Evaluation:

You have all learned Cell Basics. You must all now complete the Explain Task as a group.

Following the directions on the handout and using the worksheet provided (presentation worksheet), divide the organelles evenly among your group. Each individual is responsible for creating 2 slides for each of their organelles. Once each one is completed combined them together to form one presentation.

Phase 3 - Reaching Consensus
The MultiMedia Presentation is due Friday Feb 14

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Conclusion

Congratulations! With the successful completion of your cell tour presentation, you should now have a better idea on the structure of a cell and the functions of its organelles. It will be important for you to refer back to your work and your understanding of the cell structure and function as we learn about cell division through the process of mitosis, and study the structure of DNA and the importance of cells in our study of genetics. This knowledge will also be important as we continue to learn about the characteristics and diversity of all living things.

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Content by Mrs. Farkas, brenda.farkas@browardschools.com http://www.kn.att.com/wired/fil/pages/webcellbasna.html Last revised Sun Feb 8 20:30:37 US/Pacific 2009