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Cell Exploration Webquest
CELL SIZE: Cells are very small and you must use a microscope to look at them. Watch this video
(click on "start animation"), then look at the size of cells and answer the following questions. To give
you an idea about size, the length of a key on the keyboard is about 1 cm.
Question:
Answer:
A. Is a bacterium larger or smaller than an animal cell?
B. How many bacteria can fit into an animal cell?
C. Are plant cells larger or smaller than animal cells?
INTRODUCTION
Every living thing is composed of at least one cell. Bacteria, amoebae, and paramecia are made of one
cell and are capable of the activities of life. Organisms made of one cell are unicellular. Most living
things are made of more than one cell and are called multicellular. Cells of these organisms function
together to accomplish life activities. How many cells do you think make up your body? The human
body is made of trillions of cells.
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In order to understand how the cell functions in your body, we have to take a look at how your body is
organized. Since you are made of matter, and all matter is made of atoms, your body is a collection of
atoms. These atoms combined in specific ways to form molecules. Some of the important molecules in
your body are proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, salts, water, and nucleic acids. These molecules
combined to form the structures that make up a cell. Since each cell is capable of the activities of
life, it is the smallest unit of life.
Cells that are similar can function together. These collections of cells are called tissues. Some tissues
that you may be familiar with are the muscle tissue that makes up your heart, epithelial tissue that
makes up your skin, and connective tissue that holds your body together. Different groups of tissues
can be arranged to form organs. Some organs that you may be familiar with are the stomach,
intestines, heart, and lungs. For example, the stomach has epithelium to line the outside and inside
surfaces for protection and the muscle tissue allows your stomach to squeeze and churn. Groups of
organs can work together as an organ system to perform a specific function. The digestive system
functions to breakdown and absorb food so that our bodies can use the energy. The pancreas,
stomach, intestines, gall bladder, and esophagus are some of the organs that make up the digestive
system. There are 13 systems in the human body that function together to produce an organism YOU!
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To review:
ATOMS ------> MOLECULES -------> CELLS -------> TISSUES -------> ORGANS ------> SYSTEMS ------>
ORGANISM
Structure
Description
Function
CYTOPLASM
PLASMA MEMBRANE
NUCLEUS
MITOCHONDRION
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ENDOPLASMIC
RETICULUM
RIBOSOME
GOLGI COMPLEX
CENTRIOLE
LYSOSOME
CYTOSKELETON
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How do plant and animal cells difer?
The things common to all cells are a cell membrane (plasma membrane), cytoplasm, and
organelles. Remember that plant cells have three structures that animal cells don't. Now look at a
drawing of a plant cell. (Hold cursor over organelle to identify it.)
COMPLETE THE TABLE BELOW:
Structure
Description
Function
CHLOROPLAST
CELL WALL
CENTRAL VACUOLE
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