Cell Webquest

Cells are the basic building blocks of life.  Every living thing is made up of one or more cells.  But what exactly are they?  We know they are microscopic and they are different types - that come in different sizes and shapes.

When you looked at your cells, you saw even smaller things inside the cell.  With bigger, more expensive microscopes, scientists can look even further into cells, seeing even more detail.  The small structures you saw are called organelles - and as it turns out, there a WHOLE lot of them that you can't see with our microscopes.  These organelles allow cells to get and use energy, grow and develop, eliminate waste, respond to changes, and reproduce. (Hey!  Aren't those the characteristics of life??)  All living cells whether animal, plant, fungi, protist, or bacteria, must be able to perform these life processes.  Therefore, similarities and differences exist in the composition of these cells.

 

Using the links at the bottom, your task is the following:

*You may work in pairs...but each person needs to do their own!

1. Each student will label the provided diagram and write a summary of what each structure does for the cell in the table.    QUIZ OVER FUNCTIONS NEXT CLASS, WITH SOME LABELING.  BE PREPARED!

2. Complete the TWO Venn Diagrams.  The first Venn Diagram should compare and contrast eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells.  The second Venn Diagram should compare and contrast plant and animal cells.

 

Links to investigate and explore:
 

The Virtual Cell

Cells Alive

Cellular Biology

Basic Cell Structure

Plant and Animal Cells
 

Biology4Kids

Cellular Organelles
 

Life Science Safari
 

Typical Animal and Plant Cells

Animal and Plant Cells

Cell Structure and Processes