Download cell organelle project

Biology Project: Investigating Cell Organelles
Biology overview | research links
Introduction
In this chapter we are looking at cells, the basic units of life. Even though cells are the basic
units, they are still organized and made of smaller structures. Just as the body is made of organs,
each having different shapes and functions, so the cells are made of organelles, which also have
their own shape and function. We will be studying the following organelles:
1. nucleus
2. mitochondria
3. endoplasmic reticulum
4. chloroplast
5. ribosome
6. golgi body (apparatus)
7. vacuole
8. lysosome and peroxisome
9. cell wall and cytoskeleton
Note - research links are below
The cell can be compared to a factory. Like a factory, it makes products that need to be packaged
and delivered to places inside or outside the cell. It needs energy to make its products, and
blueprints to work from. Our goal in this project will be to understand how these organelles work
together to help the cell do its work.
You will be working individually or in pairs. You will have until Wednesday, Oct 27th to
complete the assignment. The requirements follow.
Requirements
The assignment is to create an illustrated summary of what you learn about your organelle.
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the basic roles of the organelle
where they are found in the cell
variation among different cells - do some cells have more of your organelle than
others? Compare plants vs. animals, different types of tissue (muscle, nerve, skin etc)
compare your organelle to a part of a factory. Your presentation should center around
this analogy.
use illustrations in your presentation
you must credit your sources
You have the following options for presenting the information:
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Create a tri-fold flyer
Present the info as a webpage
Create a power point presentation
Assemble the information as a newsletter
We will be presenting the information in class. You will be given no more than 5 minutes for
your presentation. You will be cut off after this amount of time. You may include extra
information if you desire, in your project for me to read -- but you need to communicate the
basics in 5 minutes.
In order to get me your assignment, you must either (1) send it as an email attachment or (2)
bring in a copy on removable media (flash drive, CD, etc). You must be able to project the
presentation -- any of the above formats will allow you to do this. Do not expect to log in to
your computer account during class in order to retrieve your assignment -- it will be considered
late in this case.
Cell Project Resources
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Start by getting an overview -- look at this diagram of a cell, with the organelles labeled.
Then check out this series of sites on specific organelles. Each site has some good
information as well as electron microscope pictures (very cool!!) of the organelle:
o nucleus
o mitochondria
o other organelles (scroll down for a menu when you get there)
This site on organelles has excellent diagrams of each organelle, showing how they
work and how they relate to the other organelles.
This organelle site has links to pictures of each organelle
try this cell organelle site too
another overview with links to each organelle (from NIH)
The University of Arizona Biology Project has a good basic overview of each organelle,
with pictures
Cells Alive -- a great site with pictures on all sorts of cell topics
A Cool Image Gallery of Electron microscope pictures
more microspope images of cells and cell parts
The Cell Project -- images for helping you understand various cell topics
The interior of a eukaryotic cell is much more packed with activity than we often
envision - check out this drawing
BiologyMad is a site in the UK with lots of good links
More links -- cell size, membranes
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