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How Small Is a Cell?

The Science Teacher—October 2004

Through the following inquiry-based activity involving yeast, students learn about cell size in a way they will never forget. Essentially, each student or lab group is given one grain of active dry yeast, is asked to estimate the number of cells in the grain, and calculate the number of yeast cells used to make one batch of bread. The activity allows students to employ math connections and to learn experimental techniques while practicing microscope skills.
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