Download SUPER DUPER CELL EXPLORATION WEBQUEST

SUPER DUPER CELL EXPLORATION WEBQUEST
INTRODUCTION
Every living thing is composed of at least one cell. Bacteria, amoebae, and paramecia are made of one cell and are
capable of the activities of life. Organisms made of one cell are unicellular. Most living things are made of more
than one cell and are called multicellular. Cells of these organisms function together to accomplish life activities.
How many cells do you think make up your body? The human body is made of trillions of cells.
In order to understand how the cell functions in your body, we have to take a look at how your body is organized.
Since you are made of matter, and all matter is made of atoms, your body is a collection of atoms. These atoms
combined in specific ways to form molecules. Some of the important molecules in your body are proteins,
carbohydrates, lipids, salts, water, and nucleic acids. These molecules combined to form the structures that make
up a cell. Since each cell is capable of the activities of life, it is the smallest unit of life.
Cells that are similar can function together. These collections of cells are called tissues. Some tissues that you
may be familiar with are the muscle tissue that makes up your heart, epithelial tissue that makes up your skin, and
connective tissue that holds your body together. Different groups of tissues can be arranged to form organs. Some
organs that you may be familiar with are the stomach, intestines, heart, and lungs. For example, the stomach has
epithelium to line the outside and inside surfaces for protection and the muscle tissue allows your stomach to
squeeze and churn. Groups of organs can work together as an organ system to perform a specific function. The
digestive system functions to breakdown and absorb food so that our bodies can use the energy. The pancreas,
stomach, intestines, gall bladder, and esophagus are some of the organs that make up the digestive system. There
are 13 systems in the human body that function together to produce an organism - YOU!
To review:
ATOMS ------> MOLECULES -------> CELLS -------> TISSUES -------> ORGANS ------> SYSTEMS ------>
ORGANISM
The focus of this activity is to learn more about the cell and how it functions in your body.
CELL SIZE
Cells are very small and you must use a microscope to look at them. Watch this
http://www.cellsalive.com/howbig.htm
(click on "start animation"), then look at the http://www.biology.arizona.edu/cell_bio/tutorials/cells/cells2.html
and answer the following questions. To give you an idea about size, the length of a key on the keyboard is about 1
cm.
Question:
Answer:
A. Is a bacterium larger or smaller than an animal cell?
B. How many bacteria can fit into an animal cell?
C. Are plant cells larger or smaller than animal cells?
EUKARYOTIC CELL ORGANELLES
Since the cell is the fundamental unit of life, it must be capable of independent existence. Some of the necessary
life activities are communication, metabolism, protection, and waste disposal. In order to carry out these jobs, the
cell has different organs inside of it just like your body has organs. These "tiny organs" are called organelles.
Different organs have different jobs and they need the proper supplies of ATP (cellular energy), proteins, oxygen,
and other nutrients to carry out their jobs.
There are different types of cells that have different functions, but all cells have some common features. The
things common to all cells are a cell membrane (plasma membrane), cytoplasm, and organelles. Take a look at a
drawing of an animal cell http://www.cellsalive.com/sitemap.htm
(Hold cursor over organelle to identify it.)
To understand how the cell carries out its functions, you should know more about the cytoplasm, cell membrane,
and organelles. Click on each structure given in the table below to learn more about each cell part. Complete the
table by writing a brief description and function for each part.
Structure
CYTOPLASM
PLASMA MEMBRANE
NUCLEUS
MITOCHONDRION
ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM
RIBOSOME
GOLGI COMPLEX
CENTRIOLE
LYSOSOME
CYTOSKELETON
Description
Function
The things common to all cells are a cell membrane (plasma membrane), cytoplasm, and organelles. Remember that
plant cells have three structures that animal cells don't. Now look at a drawing of a plant
cell. http://www.cellsalive.com/sitemap.htm (Hold cursor over organelle to identify it.)
COMPLETE THE TABLE BELOW:
Structure
Description
Function
CHLOROPLAST
CELL WALL
CENTRAL VACUOLE
PROKARYOTIC CELLS
Remember that prokaryotic cells are only found in bacteria! They're simpler than eukaryotic cells. Look at the
bacterial cell, http://www.cellsalive.com/sitemap.htm and complete the table below:
Structure
Description
Function