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Cell Structure and Function
Answer each question as you view the videos and explore the interactives in this lesson.
Explore the Gallery of Cells image to see the variety of specialized cells that exist in organisms.
(Click on the image and zoom in to see larger.)
1. What can you infer about function from the structure of any of these cells?
Watch the Nucleus, Cytoplasm, Membrane video. (Turn on the closed captions-
)
2. How does the structure of a cell suggest its function?
3. In what way does the nucleus dictate the structure and function of the cell?
4. How does the cell membrane act as the "gatekeeper" for the cell?
Explore the Cell Membrane: Just Passing Through interactive activity
5. How does the composition of the cell membrane help regulate the movement of
substances into and out of the cell?
6. Describe the different processes involved in the movement of these substances into and
out of the cell: oxygen, carbon dioxide, glucose, potassium, sodium, water, and enzymes.
Watch the Organelles in the Cytoplasm video. (Turn on the closed captions7. What is meant by the phrase "the cell is the functional unit of life"?
)
8. How are the organelles in a cell like the organs in a human body?
9. Why do you think cells that produce large numbers of proteins have rougher endoplasmic
reticulum (ER) than cells that produce fewer proteins?
10. In which kinds of human cells would you expect to find the most mitochondria? The
most lysosomes? The most ribosomes? Explain your answers.
Examine the Animal and Plant Cell image and identify the similarities and differences between
the two types of cells. (Click on the image and zoom in to see larger.)
11. What is the most significant difference between animal and plant cells? Why do you
think that?
Explore the Gallery of Cells image again, this time looking for similarities and differences in the
cells.
Take notes here
Homework:
Draw at least three different types of specialized cells on separate paper and label the cell type
(animal or plant) and any recognizable cell structures.
Then compare the different cells and describe how their structures are related to their functions.