Lesson 7 – Exploring Cells
Reflection Questions
A. Based on the alga Spirogyra that you observed, would you consider Spirogyra to
be more plant-like or animal-like?
Spirogyra are more Plant-like because they have cell walls and chloroplasts.
B. Why do you think the bulb of the onion plant is so big? What function does it
serve for the plant?
The onion bulb stores food for the onion plant.
Helps anchor and support the plant.
C. What happened to the Elodea leaf cells when they were soaked in salt solution?
How do you think this relates to what happens to you when you eat salty foods?
Cells shrink and water is sucked out causing it to shrink.
Dehydrates your body.
D. Use the Venn Diagram on Student Sheet 7.4 to show the cell structures and
organelles that you observed in cells from the onion bulb, Elodea leaves, and
epithelial tissue.
Onion & Elodea: cell wall
Elodea: chloroplasts
Animal, Elodea, Onion: cell membrane, cytoplasm, Nucleus
E. If animal cells do not have cell walls, what gives animals such as mammals shape
and support?
The internal skeleton and muscles give mammals shape and support.
F. Give one example from among the cells you observed in this lesson of how the
size and shape of the cell is well-suited for its particular function.
Answers will vary
G. Compare the cells you drew in the inquires with the one your group sketched
during “Getting Started.” Based on what you have learned, discuss what you
would need to do to make your sketch more accurate.
Answers will vary