Category: Cell Biology
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How is Glucose Taken Up by Cells?
This worksheet takes a closer look at the cell membrane and how insulin binds to the receptor on the cell membrane which creates a signal cascade, resulting in the movement of the Glut-4 transport protein to the surface of the cell. Students interpret a graphic showing the membrane, receptors, and the Glut-4 transport protein.
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Cellular Respiration Graphic Organizer
Students complete a graphic organizer that shows the process of cellular respiration.
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How Do Viruses Infect Cells (Coloring)?
A simple worksheet that explains how viruses infect cells which include diagrams to label and an image of a typical virus for students to color the envelope, proteins, DNA, and the capsid.
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Reinforcement: Cell Division
This worksheet was created for an introductory biology class because they struggled with the difficult vocabulary associated with mitosis and the cell cycle.
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Cell Membrane Captions
Students examine images of transport across the cell membrane and identify key features such as the phospholipid bilayer, channel proteins, and receptors. Students then provide a title, such as “osmosis” and create a caption that describes the process being shown.
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Cells Alive Worksheet
This worksheet follows diagrams and activities at CellsAlive.com which focuses on the size of cells compared to other objects, such as viruses and pollen. Students view interactive plant, animal, and bacteria cells to learn about the different structures associated with each.
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What Causes Mitochondrial Disease – CER
Describes genes in the nuclear DNA and in the mitochondrial DNA and proteins found in the inner membrane of the mitochondria. Mutations can lead to disorders.
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Investigation: The Effect of Salt on a Potato
Students observe how the mass of a potato slice changes when soaked overnight in salt water. The activity is intended to be done as part of a lesson on osmosis and hypertonic and hypotonic solutions. Students will need about 15 minutes to set up their cups, weigh their slices and make predictions about what they…
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Mitochondria, DNA, and the Aging Process
This short article was designed for anatomy and physiology students studying the cell. The class focuses on how disease states can often be traced back to problems with cells. Senescence, or aging, has been linked to a build-up of mutations in mtDNA.
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Microscope Introduction – “e” Lab
This lab is similar to the “e” lab used with freshman biology, but designed for students in the vocational track. It has less reading and more detailed steps for using the microscope as well as a larger font and bigger spacing.
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Investigation: Exploring Cells
While biologists might find the history of the cell theory fascinating, I notice that many of my students seem to tune-out when you bring up the history of scientific discoveries. In order to save time and improve engagement, I created this lab to include a short history of the cell theory as students explore prepared…
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Investigation: How Do Enzymes Work?
This lab is fairly basic, but when given with guided instruction how enzymes catalyze reactions, students can have a hands-on experience into how proteins are related to function.
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Investigation: How Can Diffusion Be Observed?
This investigation provides a hands-on way to observe what happens when a chemical moves across a semipermeable membrane. In this case, a cheap plastic bag serves as a model for the cell membrane and shows that iodine will move into the bag and turn the contents purple.
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Create a Concept Map of Biomolecules
This activity asks students to work in groups to create a concept map (graphic organizer) on the biological macromolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, fats, and nucleic acids. Students are given brief instructions and a sample map to get them started, but they are responsible for determining what details are important in each section.
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Cell Labeling: Simple and Complex
Students practice labeling organelles on a simple model (2D) and a more complex model. The idea is for students to gain an appreciation for how cell diagrams are created. They don’t all look alike, and are often artistically created. Cell organelles tend to follow basic design rules, like the mitochondria will generally look like a…