Science - Biology
Lesson Plans

Standard 2

Students will understand that all organisms are composed of one or more cells that are made of molecules, come from preexisting cells, and perform life functions.

Objective 3

Investigate the structure and function of cells and cell parts.

• Advanced Microscope Techniques
  In this lab students will practice using the diaphragm to regulate the light entering the microscope, focus on objects at different depths of field, determine a microscope's field size under both high and low power and estimate the size of specimens viewed under the compound microscope by comparing the specimen to a known field size.
• Biology's Biggest Loser!
  This is an inquiry lab. The students will prepare and conduct an experiment to force their potato to lose the greatest percentage of its mass using osmosis.
• Cell Journal
  Students will collect samples and bring them to school to look at underneath the microscope. They will keep a journal of their observations and drawings and summarize their findings.
• Cell Size
  Students investigate the relationship between surface area (cell membrane) and volume of a cell.
• Cell Theory and the Nature of Science
  Students will apply the scientific method to actual events in the development of the cell theory. They will do this by researching using their books and they display their knowledge visually in a poster.
• Examining Cells from the Five Kingdoms
  Students will prepare and observe slides of cells from each of the five kingdoms. They will use a microscope to observe the cells and make labeled drawings of each and compare the structure and function of cells.
• Inquiry Cube
  Students will "solve" an inquiry cube (5 clues on the cubes' sides and a missing piece that the students figure out) Students will then make their own cube.
• Making a Cell
  Students will construct a cell and describe how various functions in the cell are carried out.
• Microscopic Life
  Student will observe and describe cellular structures and functions of pond microorganisms. They will identify cell parts and determine how the organisms carry out the functions of life such as extracting energy from food, removing waste, and producing their own food. They will design an experiment to investigate growth and reproduction.
• Mitosis Dance
  Students will create a "dance" that uses everyone in the class to model a cell undergoing mitosis.
• Mitosis Models
  Students will use small objects such as Legos to model cell division.
• Models of Movement
  Students will perform two experiments using "bags" made of dialysis tubing. One demonstrates diffusion, the other osmosis.
• Onion Root Online Lab
  Students will complete an online lab using an onion root undergoing mitosis. By counting the number of cells in each phase, students will infer the length of time cell spend in each phase.
• Osmosis Inquiry Labs
  Students will observe the qualitative effects of osmosis in plant cells and to quantitatively measure the rate of osmosis in potato slices.
• The Whole Cell Catalog
  Students will learn the different cell organelles which function in a cell and the purpose of each by creating catalogs for cell organelles. This is a group research project.

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http://www.uen.org - in partnership with Utah State Board of Education (USBE) and Utah System of Higher Education (USHE).  Send questions or comments to USBE Specialist - Richard Scott and see the Science - Secondary website. For general questions about Utah's Core Standards contact the Director - Jennifer Throndsen .

These materials have been produced by and for the teachers of the State of Utah. Copies of these materials may be freely reproduced for teacher and classroom use. When distributing these materials, credit should be given to Utah State Board of Education. These materials may not be published, in whole or part, or in any other format, without the written permission of the Utah State Board of Education, 250 East 500 South, PO Box 144200, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4200.