Links:
YOU BE THE TEACHER
OBJECTIVE:
Students will develop an original lab experience with a focus on cells and cell structure and function
Student will provide background information and a tested experimental procedure relating to cells and their behavior
PRIOR LEARNING:
Elementary level science instruction that includes basic cell structure
MATERIALS:
Computer with internet access
Library reference books
Secondary biology textbook
Materials as per student request
WEBSITES/SUGGESTIONS:
http://www.nmsa.org/publications/MiddleSchoolJournal/January2002/Article1/tabid/158/Default.aspx
Eric Mazur of Harvard University has published works on peer instruction that may be of interest
ROLES IN LESSON:
STUDENT:
Students will research structure and function of cell parts
Students will devise a plan to allow students to experience the behavior of cells in a lab experience
TEACHER:
Teacher will conduct a review of the cell structure and function using student material to ensure that all students have a correct working knowledge of structure and function
Monitor student collection of data and creation of lab
Review and provide feedback for draft work
WRAP UP:
Students will submit their full lab experience including background information on cell structure and function
ASSESSMENT:
You Be The Teacher Rubric
NEW YORK STATE STANDARDS:
STANDARD 4
Students will understand and apply scientific concepts, principles, and theories pertaining to the physical setting and living environment and recognize the historical development of ideas in science.
Key Idea 1:
Living things are both similar to and different from each other and from nonliving things.
1.2f Cells have particular structures that perform specific jobs. These structures perform the actual work of the cell. Just as systems are coordinated and work together, cell parts must also be coordinated and work together.
1.2g Each cell is covered by a membrane that performs a number of important functions for the cell. These include: separation from its outside environment, controlling which molecules enter and leave the cell, and recognition of chemical signals. The processes of diffusion and active transport are important in the movement of materials in and out of cells.
1.2h Many organic and inorganic substances dissolved in cells allow necessary chemical reactions to take place in order to maintain life. Large organic food molecules such as proteins and starches must initially be broken down (digested to amino acids and simple sugars respectively), in order to enter cells. Once nutrients enter a cell, the cell will use them as building blocks in the synthesis of compounds necessary for life.
1.2i Inside the cell a variety of specialized structures, formed from many different molecules, carry out the transport of materials (cytoplasm), extraction of energy from nutrients (mitochondria), protein building (ribosomes), waste disposal (cell membrane), storage (vacuole), and information storage (nucleus).
1.2j Receptor molecules play an important role in the interactions between cells. Two primary agents of cellular communication are hormones and chemicals produced by nerve cells. If nerve or hormone signals are blocked, cellular communication is disrupted and the organismÕs stability is affected.
PRENTICE HALL REVIEW BOOK TOPIC:
Topic 1- Similarities and Differences Among Living Organisms
EXTENSION/IDEAS:
Students can perform their own lab
Students can exchange labs and complete them in class