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Cell Structure and Function: Cells – The Basis of Life
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Details

Type of Product:Science Object
Average Rating:
 based on 14 reviews
Publication Title:Cell Structure and Function SciPack
Publication Date:1/8/2008
Grade Level:Elementary School, Middle School


Description

Science Objects are two hour on-line interactive inquiry-based content modules that help teachers better understand the science content they teach. This Science Object is the first of four Science Objects in the Cell Structure and Function SciPack. It explores the difference between living and non-living things as it looks at the many different types of cells. All self-replicating life forms are composed of cells,-from single-celled bacteria to elephants, with their trillions of cells. Although a few giant cells, such as hens' eggs, can be seen with the naked eye, most cells are microscopic. Multi-celled organisms are composed of many tiny microscopic cells, as opposed to fewer larger cells. Surface area to volume ratio makes efficient food absorption and waste removal possible in cells.


Ideas For Use

Science Objects are two hour learning experiences teachers can use to enhance their understanding of a particular scientific concept. Teachers can access any topic “on demand” from the Internet. Topics are based on the science literacy goals in the national standards (NSES, Science for All Americans, Benchmarks, and the Atlas of Scientific Literacy) and tied to state standards.

Each Science Object provides an understanding of the science content by providing a structured set of learning experiences through simulations and practice assessments. Science Objects challenge teachers to explore and explain real world phenomena and are founded on the principle that learners must be challenged with a problem, observation, data, etc., in order to develop scientific understanding. Science Objects utilize the five phases of inquiry-based learning: Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate.

Learning Outcomes:

Cell Structure and Function: Cells – The Basis of Life

  • Describe the criteria used to separate living from nonliving things
  • Distinguish between cellular and non-cellular objects given a list or a set of images
  • Explain how the cellular surface area-to-volume ratio determines the size and functionality of cells
  • Recognize and classify life-forms such as bacteria, archaea, fungi, protists, plants, and animals

Additional Info

Science Discipline: (mouse over for full classification)
Cellular structures
Asexual reproduction
Sexual reproduction
Intended User Role:Elementary-Level Educator, Middle-Level Educator, Teacher
Educational Issues:Inquiry learning, Professional development, Teacher content knowledge

Technical

Resource Format:application/x-shockwave-flash, audio/mp3, image/gif, image/jpeg, text/html, video/quicktime
Installation Remarks:Run the Science Objects System Check to ensure that your system is capable of viewing the simulations: http://ecommerce2.nsta.org/system_check/
Requirements:Requires Macromedia Flash Player and Apple Quicktime Player


National Standards Correlation

This resource has 10 correlations with the National Standards.  
[VIEW CORRELATIONS]

This resource has 10 correlations with the National Standards.  
[HIDE CORRELATIONS]

  • Life Science
    • The characteristics of organisms
      • Organisms have basic needs. For example, animals need air, water, and food; plants require air, water, nutrients, and light. (K-4)
      • Each plant or animal has different structures that serve different functions in growth, survival, and reproduction. For example, humans have distinct body structures for walking, holding, seeing, and talking. (K-4)
    • Structure and function in living systems
      • All organisms are composed of cells--the fundamental unit of life (5-8)
      • Cells carry on the many functions needed to sustain life. They grow and divide, thereby producing more cells. (5-8)
    • Reproduction and heredity
      • Reproduction is a characteristic of all living systems; because no individual organism lives forever, reproduction is essential to the continuation of every species. (5-8)
      • Some organisms reproduce asexually (5-8)
      • Some organisms reproduce sexually. (5-8)
      • Hereditary information is contained in genes, located in the chromosomes of each cell. (5-8)
      • The characteristics of an organism can be described in terms of a combination of traits. (5-8)
  • Process Standards for Professional Development
    • Research-Based
      • Address teachers' needs as learners and build on their current knowledge of science content, teaching, and learning. (NSES)


Customer Reviews
good series
  Reviewed by: Genevieve on December 28, 2011
  This series is well organized and explained. It covers enough details for upper level students and not too much for lower level students. Good resource to refresh how you teach the topic. The quiz answer check didn't always work and it wasn't clear which was the right answer for a few answer boxes.

The Building Blocks of Life
  Reviewed by: Lorrie Armfield (Laurel, MD) on December 18, 2011
  This is a great resource for examining how all living things are composed of cells, and that cells carry out basic life functions. It was clear and concise, and helped the viewer to differentiate between unicellular and multicelluar organisms. I most certainly am eager to share this resource with my scholars as we begin to explore our life science module (animal and plant cells).

Cell Structure and Functions
  Reviewed by: Barbara Ryan on December 14, 2011
  For the middle school standards the topic of cells is important in the learning process of students. This topic is relevant and enhances the understanding of organelles and how they do their jobs to help the cell function. Each organelle is important and needed to work with other organelles in order for the cell to do its job. The type of organelles a cell has depends on t he type of cell itself. The comparing and contrasting of animal and plant cells is important for students to understand. The difference between a more complex cell and that of bacteria with limited organelles but still carrying out the same functions is also important for student to understand. All this information can be found here.

Breaks everything down
  Reviewed by: kelly (brewster, NY) on November 22, 2011
  This was a good page to view, I like how it broke down the entire lesson and checked for understanding

More depth than I could have imagined
  Reviewed by: Duane Little (Washington, DC) on October 21, 2011
  I had no idea the Science Object entitled "Cells-The Basis of Life" would take me as deeply into the subject as it did. Terms like blastula, gastrula, mesoderm, endoderm and the like were foreign to me. The concepts that these terms described and how they impacted the formation of organs was all new to me. The object was extremely enlightening and opened my eyes to a world of new knowledge that awaits me as I explore other scipacks!

Deeping my background knowledge on cells
  Reviewed by: Angelika Fairweather (Bradenton, FL) on April 1, 2011
  This learning object really made me examine my knowledge of the characteristics of living things. It was interesting to test my own set of rules to find my own misconceptions. I also gained historical perspective. For example, I did not know Leeuwenhoek studied the "white" stuff in his mouth as one of his first specimens.

cell struture and function
  Reviewed by: Paulette Burdett on February 1, 2011
  It was great for my class. the graphics are really good

Who knew??
  Reviewed by: Sherene McDonald on January 31, 2011
  This is another general overview assessment that can even breakdown where you went wrong, good to know!

Great Overview of the Topic
  Reviewed by: David on November 10, 2010
  This object provided a very thorough overview of characteristics of life, the importance of the size of cells, and general classification. The order of information was appropriate and the pictures help in the review of the material. I especially found that the topic of surface area to volume as a limitation to cell size was explained in an easy to understand manner and I plan on using similar wording next time with my students.

Awesome!!!
  Reviewed by: JOEL DE BARROS (SUCCASUNNA , ) on July 5, 2010
  I found this to be extremely beneficial and informative to improving my knowledge of the Biology content area. It helped to streghten prior knowledge and provided an alternative perspective that I can incorporate into my special education classroom. Two thumbs up!!

New Twist on Old Ideas
  Reviewed by: Matthew (Galloway, OH) on June 8, 2010
  I really appreciated the organization and approach that the authors/contributors took in the layout and presentation of this SciPack. I will definitely be incorporating several of the ideas put forth in this resource in class. My only complaint is that the "check" buttons did not provide me with any feeback. I'm on a Mac.

Cells
  Reviewed by: Jerry P (Fuquay Varina, NC) on July 14, 2009
  The information was presented in the appropriate order. I loved the microscopic pics that were used during the lesson.

Cell Structure and Function: Cells – The Basis of
  Reviewed by: marwa khemir (, ) on June 4, 2009
  Cell Structure and Function: Cells – The Basis of Life

Cell Structure and Function: Cells: The Basis of
  Reviewed by: Christine on January 14, 2008
  This is great and can be modified for multiple grade levels.

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