Download Plant vs Animal Cell Activity

Plant Cell vs Animal Cell Activity
Target Concept: Identify differences between plant and animal cells, learn function
and structure of cell organelles (cell wall, cell membrane, vacuole, chloroplasts,
flagella, cilia)
Standards Addressed:
Standard B-2: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the
structure and function of cells and their organelles.
Indicator B2.2: Summarize the structures and functions of organelles found
in a eukaryotic cell (including the nucleus, mitochondria, chloroplasts,
lysosomes, vacuoles, ribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum [ER], Golgi
apparatus, cilia, flagella, cell membrane, nuclear membrane, cell wall, and
cytoplasm).
Materials:
Microscopes (8-12)
Slides (4-6 animal, 4-6 plant)
Colored Pencils
Activity:
Set up microscopes at different stations throughout the room. Each
microscope should be labeled using a labeling system that does not indicate which
type of cell is in view (i.e. label A-F). On 4-6 of the microscopes, have in focus an
animal cell. The type of animal cell can vary from microscope to microscope. On the
other 4-6 microscopes have in focus a plant cell (again, these can vary from
microscope to microscope).
Each student will start at a station and draw the cell they see on a sheet of
paper with colored pencils. The more detailed, the better. Have the student indicate
what type of cell it is and explain why they think this. Once the students have drawn
their cell, have them move to the next station. If this is the same type of cell as the
original and the students can add to their original drawing if they missed something.
If it is a new type of cell, have the students start a new drawing.
Continue to move from station to station until each student has seen all of the
slides. At the end of the exercise, each student should have 2 detailed drawings, one
of a plant cell, and one of an animal cell. Each student should also have a list of each
station indicating which type of cell was shown and why.
Follow up:
Go over each station and discuss what the students predicted and saw.
Discuss the differences and similarities between the cells. Have the students create
a ven diagram comparing and contrasting plant and animal cells. Also, discuss the
function of the organelles seen during this activity.
Plant Cell
Animal Cell
Cell Activity
Station #
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Plant or Animal
Cell?
Why?