What I need to know about Cells
(Materials: Color pencils)
Describe the organelles of a cell and how an individual cell can be considered a system.
Matching
Read the lettered clues and figure out which numbered word matches.
_____1. cell membrane
a. storage for water in plant cells
_____2. nucleus
b. uses light energy to make carbohydrates – photosynthesis
_____3. ribosomes
c. the powerhouse of the cell – energy is made – ATP
_____4. vacuole
d. proteins are made here
_____5. mitochondria
e. controls the functions of the cell – holds genetic material
_____6. chloroplast
f. allows certain materials to move in and out of the cell
_____7. cytoplasm
g. jelly-like substance in which the organelles are found
Is the cell a system?
Read the following and respond to the selected response questions.
An individual cell can be considered a system because all of its organelles have different functions that
help the entire cell survive. First cells must respond to their environment by making proteins, producing
energy and or making sugar (glucose). Second, they must get rid of waste through the cell membrane.
Cells need to get rid of substances such as carbon dioxide. Third, cells need to transport substances such as
the various nutrients that are required to help a cell carry out life functions. Some of the substances are
glucose, oxygen, and water. Finally, cells need to move whether it be towards or away from food sources
or other organisms that will ingest them. A cell is highly diverse and complex and must be able to achieve
all of these characteristics of life in order to maintain homeostasis. Homeostasis is the ability to maintain a
stable internal environment and this is critical to the survival of every cell as well as every organism. If
one of the cell’s organelles is unable to function properly it will cause the entire cell to begin shutting down.
For example, if a cell is unable to get rid of excess water than it will burst. Therefore, the cell, as small as
it is, is a system all on its own and needs all of its organelles to function properly.
1. Can a cell be considered a system?
YES or NO
2. Why is a cell considered a system?
a. It has a nucleus.
b. It has many organelles with different
functions.
c. It has a nucleus and cytoplasm.
3. What is homeostasis?
a. a housewarming party.
b. a process for making proteins
c. a cell’s ability to maintain a stable
internal environment.
4. What must cells do in order to maintain
homeostasis?
a. respond to the environment
b. get rid of waste
c. transport nutrients and move
d. all of the above
The value of achievement lies in the achieving. –Albert Einstein
Fill in the blanks
Use the word bank provided.
mitochondria cell membrane flagella cilia vacuole chloroplasts cytoplasm
nucleus
1. ________________ are organelles that enable plants to make sugars.
2. __________________ is the material that holds the cell organelles in place.
3. Two structures that some cells use for movement are ___________________
____________________.
and
4. A __________________________ is a thin layer of lipids and proteins that separates a cell’s contents
from its surroundings.
5. The ______________ contains a cell’s genetic information and controls the other functions of the cell.
6. _____________________ are considered the powerhouse of the cell.
7. The _________________ is used to store water in plant cells.
How Does A Cell Relate To Your School?
In the space provided below describe the function of each cell organelle and then state what person in
your school serves a similar function in your school.
Organelle
Function within the cell
Who at your school has a similar job?
Cell Wall
Cell Membrane
Nucleus
Cytoplasm
Chloroplast
Mitochondria
Vacuole
Ribosomes
The value of achievement lies in the achieving. –Albert Einstein
Compare and contrast prokaryotic (simple) and eukaryotic (complex) organisms.
Use the word bank below to complete the Venn Diagram.
WORD BANK
No nucleus
Circular DNA
Linear DNA
Reproduce quickly
Reproduce slowly
Nucleus
Small in size
Large in size
Bacteria
Cell Membrane
Humans
Simple
Animals
Complex
Protists
Ribosomes
PROKARYOTIC
DOUBLE BUBBLE
Membrane-bound
organelles
No membranebound organelles
DNA
Cytoplasm
EUKARYOTIC
Look at the two cells pictured. Identify each cell type (prokaryotic or eukaryotic) and give a brief
explanation of each.
A
Cell Type
Explanation
The value of achievement lies in the achieving. –Albert Einstein
B
Compare and contrast animal and plant cells.
Look at the cell on the right.
Identify whether it is a plant or animal cell and
explain how you were able to tell.
Plant or
Animal (Circle one)
Explanation
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
The table shows data for three different cells. Figure out whether each cell is an animal cell or a plant cell
and then explain why.
Structure
Cell A
Cell B
Cell C
Cell Wall
Cell Membrane
Mitochondria
Nucleus
Chloroplast
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
NO
YES
YES
YES
No
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
Cell A is a plant/animal cell because __________________________________________________.
Cell B is a plant/animal cell because __________________________________________________.
Cell B is a plant/animal cell because __________________________________________________.
The value of achievement lies in the achieving. –Albert Einstein
Describe how a cell is considered part of a larger system or organism.
Levels of Organization
Review the diagram below and describe how the cell is part of a system.
Cells
Tissue
Organ
Organ System
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
The value of achievement lies in the achieving. –Albert Einstein
Organism