Download Cell Structure Gizmo (gizmo_cell_structure1)

NAME: __________________________________________ PERIOD: _________________
Student Exploration: Cell Structure
Vocabulary: Cytoplasm, Endoplasmic Reticulum, Ribosomes, Mitochondria, Vacuole,
Nucleus, Cell Wall, Chloroplast.
(There are other cell parts in this activity, but these will be our focus today)
Structures of a Typical Animal Cell
In this activity, you will examine the structure of a typical animal cell.
Gizmo Warm-Up
In the Gizmo, select View animal cell from the
dropdown menu and click Sample. An animal cell
moves to the stage.
Drag the Zoom slider to the right until it reads
200x and briefly examine the cell. Drag the Zoom
slider to the right once again, this time until it
reads 500x.
Use the sliders at the bottom and at the right to
move the cell around.
1) From the dropdown menu at the left, select Cytoplasm. (A small red arrow is pointing at
the plasma membrane to help you find it.) Read the information about the cytoplasm. An
arrow will point to the cell part on the diagram.

The cytoplasm is a ___________________________ substance composed mostly of
_________________________________.

What are found in the cytoplasm? ___________________________________
2) Select Endoplasmic reticulum from the dropdown. Find the structure within the cell and
read the description provided.
 What does ER do in the cell? ___________________________________________

What cell structures cover the rough ER? ___________________________________
Select Ribosomes and read the accompanying description.
 What function do the ribosomes serve?
__________________________________.
Select Mitochondrion and read the information. Find a mitochondrion
in the viewing area.
 Which of the pictures to the right is a mitochondrion?_______
What is the function of the mitochondrion? _________________________________
Select Vacuole.
 What can be stored in the vacuole?
_____________________________________________
Increase the magnification to 1000x and center the purple region (the nucleus) in the middle
of the cell in the viewing area.
Select Nucleus.
 Why is the nucleus referred to as the "brain" of the cell? ________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
What is contained in the nucleus? __________________________________
Structures of a Typical Plant Cell
In this activity, you will examine the basic structures of a typical plant cell and compare and
contrast them with those of an animal cell.
Select View plant cell from the dropdown menu above the viewing area. Click Sample. Use
the Zoom slider to magnify the cell 200x.

Examine the plant cell. In general, how does a plant cell look different from an animal
cell? ________________________________________________________________
Move the slider to increase the magnification to 500X
Select Cell wall from the dropdown menu.

Where is the cell wall?
___________________________________________________________________
What is the function of the cell wall?
___________________________________________________________________
Select Chloroplast.

Would you expect to find chloroplasts in animal cells? Why or why not?
____________________________________________________________________
Match the cell part to the function: (you may want to use your notes too!)
____ Cytoplasm
____ Lysosome
____ Mitochondria
____ Endoplasmic reticulum
____ Vacuole
____ cell (plasma) membrane
____ Nucleus
____ Ribosome
____ Golgi apparatus (body)
A. May contain food, water, or waste
B. Surrounds and protects the cell and lets some things go through it.
C. Sac where wastes are digested
D. Structures that makes energy
E. Passageways where chemicals are made.
F. Jelly-like substance within the cell
G. The ribosomes are located on this organelle
H. Structure that contains DNA and directs the cell’s activities
I.
Makes protein
Complete the 5 question quiz on the gizmo
Question 4 is C (we have not studied this one
yet