Monday Lesson Plan: Plants vs. Animal Cells
Organization and Development of Living Organisms
Sunshine State Standards: SC.912.L14.2, SC.912.L14.3
Goal:
1. For students to distinguish the differences and similarities between plant and animal cells.
2. To develop an understanding of structure as in relates to function of the different parts in plant
and animal cells.
Book: Essentials of Cell Biology (Unit 1.1 / Unit 3.5)
http://www.nature.com/scitable/ebooks/essentials-of-cell-biology-14749010
Introduction: Today we are going to dive into the world of cells. We’re going to start off by
defining some major components of cell biology. Then, we will further dissect each topic to gain
a better understanding of cells as they relate to topics such as animals, plants, and even you!
Step one: Define major components of cell biology with the class, as a group activity.
Defining terms:
Three main components of any cell (prokaryotic/eukaryotic):
1. Plasma membrane: Defines the boundary of the cell.
2. Cytoplasm: Semi-fluid contents of the cell, includes ribosomes.
3. DNA: contains the cell’s genetic information.
Prokaryotic Cell: A cell that is lacking a true nucleus that is bound by a membrane. They are
simplistic forms of life that make up bacteria and archaea.
Eukaryotic Cell: A cell that has a true membrane-bound nucleus along with membrane- bound
organelles. They are more complex forms of life than prokaryotic cells and make up all protists,
fungi, plants, and animals.
Step two: Assign students into groups of four or five. Instruct them to take turns reading unit
1.1 and 3.5.
Step three: Have the class come together as a whole group and hold a group discussion about
the reading to answer any questions the students may have.
Step four: Hand out worksheets and have the students work individually to complete them. Go
over the answers next class as a review to the topic.
Name: ____________________
Date: ______________
Use the word bank to place the organelles of cells into a column: Plant cell, Animal cell, or both.
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Word Bank
Plasma membrane
lysosomes
Large, central
vacuole
Plant Cell
Nucleus
Chloroplast
cell walls
Animal Cell
Golgi apparatus
Mitochondria
Endoplasmic
Reticulum
Ribosomes
Cytoplasm
peroxisomes
Both
Answers: Plant cell (chloroplast, cell walls, large central vacuole, peroxisomes, cytoplasm,
nucleus, plasma membrane, ER, Golgi apparatus, ribosomes, Mitochondria) Animal cell
(lysosomes, peroxisomes, cytoplasm, nucleus, plasma membrane, ER, Golgi apparatus,
ribosomes, Mitochondria) Both (peroxisomes, cytoplasm, nucleus, plasma membrane, ER, Golgi
apparatus, ribosomes, Mitochondria).
Match the organelle with the correct function.
Ribosomes
Endoplasmic reticulum
Golgi apparatus
Cell walls
Cytoplasm
Lysosomes
Peroxisomes
Chloroplast
Nucleus
Mitochondria
Large central vacuole
Plasma membrane
Provides support and protection to cell
organelles.
Carries materials through the cell and aids in
the production of proteins
Constructs proteins
Contains the heredity material of the cell
Utilizes the sun’s energy to produce sugar for
plants
Breaks down large food molecules into
smaller ones and digests old cell parts:
Intracellular digestion
Breaks down sugar molecules to produce ATP
(energy)
Support, protects, allows diffusion to occur
Controls what enters and exits the cell
Stores food and water
Receives, packages, and distributes proteins
and lipids
Oxidation of molecules
Answers: Ribosomes  constructs proteins.
Endoplasmic reticulum  carries materials through the cell/aids in making proteins.
Golgi apparatus  Receives, packages, and distributes proteins and lipids.
Cell walls  support, protects, and allows for diffusion to occur.
Cytoplasm  Provides support and protection to cell organelles.
Lysosomes  Breaks down large food molecules into smaller ones and digests old cell parts:
Intracellular digestion.
Peroxisomes  Oxidation of molecules.
Chloroplast  Utilizes the sun’s energy to produce sugar for plants.
Nucleus  Contains the heredity material of the cell.
Mitochondria  Breaks down sugar molecules to produce ATP (energy).
Large, central vacuole  stores food and water.
Plasma membrane  Controls what enters and exits the cell.
Conclusion: Through completing this lesson plan students will gain an understanding into
the world of cells. Students will acquire a lot of new information through this lesson. This is
why the lesson plan was mixed with learning styles. At the beginning of the lesson, the
teacher is lecturing the students on some key components of cell biology (teacher-centered
learning). After the mini lecture, students get into groups and read more in depth on cells,
their organelles, and the differences and similarities of plants and animal cells (studentcentered). The class comes together to have a large group discussion about the reading
(student-centered).
Additional E-books:
http://www.dedicatedteacher.com/cells-learning-about-science-for-grades-4-12-mark-twainmedia-ebook/carson-dellosa-publishing/CSD404050EB/pd/
http://www.rempub.com/ebooks-category/all-about-cells-student-learning-guide-ebook
http://www.freebookcentre.net/biology-books-download/Structure-and-Function-of-MajorCell-Components.html
http://www.freebookcentre.net/biology-books-download/Cells-and-Cell-Function.html
http://www.freebookcentre.net/biology-books-download/Essentials-of-Cell-Biology.html