Introduction to Cells

In this minds-on analysis and discussion activity, students learn about the characteristics shared by all cells, the differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, and the differences between animal and plant cells.

Students analyze the reasons why cells are so small. They also learn about the diverse chemical capabilities of prokaryotes, the functions of the organelles in eukaryotic cells, and how organelles work together to accomplish the activities of life.     

The Student Handout is available in the first two attached files and as a Google doc designed for use in distance learning and online instruction. (For additional instructions, see https://serendipstudio.org/exchange/bioactivities/Googledocs, especially item 7.) The Teacher Notes are available in the third and fourth attached files. The Teacher Notes provide instructional suggestions and background information and explain how this activity is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards. I am grateful to David Upegui, Central Falls High School, for generously agreeing to share a PowerPoint presentation to accompany this activity (https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1z8WT4Zsyy5RJi-U9zlr9KZwjNCcwGm-dmxnENBOCpD0/copy).

Crawling Neutrophil Chasing a Bacterium

(This video is taken from a 16-mm movie made in the 1950s by the late David Rogers at Vanderbilt University.)