Introduction to Cells- Stations Lab

Station 1: Microscopes allow scientists to study cells.

Microscopes:

How do light microscopes differ from electron microscopes? (How does each work? How much

can each magnify a specimen?)

Complete the chart below:

Pros Cons

Light Microscope

Electron Microscope

Cell Theory:

What are the three parts of the cell theory?

Levels of Organization:

Arrange the puzzle at your station to explain the five levels of organization. (The levels should

progress from smallest to largest.) Have your teacher initial here that your puzzle is correctly

arranged.

______________...______________...______________...______________...______________

Station 2: Prokaryotic vs. eukaryotic cells

What are the basic features of ALL cells?

•

•

•

•

While all cells share the four features above, prokaryotes and eukaryotes differ in several major

ways. Complete the chart below to illustrate these differences.

Prokaryotes Eukaryotes

Nucleus? Yes / No Yes / No

Where is DNA found?

Membrane-bound organelles? Yes / No Yes / No

Average size of cells

Organisms with each type of cell

Label the following cells as either eukaryotic or prokaryotic

Cell Specialization:

How can cells be specialized to perform different functions? Provide specific examples.

Station

The cell membrane controls passage of materials in and out of the cell

network of fibers that organizes structures in the cell.

Cell Membrane:

What other names do we use to refer to the cell membrane?

In your own word, what does selective permeability

Describe the function of each of the

• Phospholipids-

• Proteins-

• Carbohydrates-

Cell Size:

Why do cells have to be so small?

Cytoskeleton:

What is the cytoskeleton made of?

What three functions does the cytoskeleton help with?

How are cilia and flagella similar? How do they differ?

either eukaryotic or prokaryotic.

How can cells be specialized to perform different functions? Provide specific examples.

Station 3: Structural Components

membrane controls passage of materials in and out of the cell. The cytoskeleton is a

network of fibers that organizes structures in the cell.

What other names do we use to refer to the cell membrane?

selective permeability mean?

Describe the function of each of the following in the plasma membrane:

Why do cells have to be so small?

What is the cytoskeleton made of?

What three functions does the cytoskeleton help with?

flagella similar? How do they differ?

How can cells be specialized to perform different functions? Provide specific examples.

. The cytoskeleton is a

What is a pseudopod?

What part of the cytoskeleton functions in cell division?

How do cytoplasm and cytosol differ?

Eukaryotic cells’ genetic instructions are stored in the nucleus and carried out

Nucleus:

Describe the function of each of the following and label the picture below:

• Nucleus-

• Nuclear envelope-

• Nuclear pores-

• Chromatin-

• Nucleolus-

Ribosomes:

What are ribosomes made of?

What do ribosomes do?

Where can ribosomes be found?

The endomembrane system regulates protein traffic through the cell.

Endoplasmic reticulum:

What is the endoplasmic retitculum (ER)?

How do rough and smooth ER differ in appearance and

function?

• Rough ER-

• Smooth ER-

What part of the cytoskeleton functions in cell division?

How do cytoplasm and cytosol differ?

Station 4:

Eukaryotic cells’ genetic instructions are stored in the nucleus and carried out

Describe the function of each of the following and label the picture below:

Station 5:

The endomembrane system regulates protein traffic through the cell.

What is the endoplasmic retitculum (ER)?

and smooth ER differ in appearance and

Eukaryotic cells’ genetic instructions are stored in the nucleus and carried out by ribosomes.

The endomembrane system regulates protein traffic through the cell.

(Once materials are made, they are transported to the…)

Golgi apparatus:

What are the main jobs of the Golgi apparatus?

(From the Golgi apparatus, vacuoles pinch off and carry materials to their appropriate

destination…)

Vacuoles:

What is a vacuole?

What kinds of substances can vacuoles hold?

How do vacuoles differ in plant and animal cells?

In you own words, summarize how the endomembrane system moves proteins through the cell.

(Some pockets that break off from the Golgi apparatus can be highly specialized…)

Lysosomes:

What are lysosomes and how do they help the cell

maintains homeostasis?

Why do you think it’s so important that lysosomes are

enclosed by membranes?

Station 6:

Mitochondria and chloroplasts change energy from one form to another.

Use the chart below to describe mitochondria and chloroplasts:

Mitochondria Chloroplasts

Found in what types of cells?

Function:

Use

To make

During the process of

Structures surrounding cells help provide structure and support.

What structure surrounds plant, fungal, and algae cells?

What are animal cells surrounded by?

Overview: All cells share some basic properties, but prokaryotes lack internal structures bound

by membranes. While plant and animal cells are both eukaryotic and have many structures in

common, some structures are unique to different types of cells. Use checkmarks in the following

chart to describe the structures found in different types of cells.

Prokaryotes

Eukaryotes

Animals Plants

Plasma membrane

Cytosol

DNA

Ribosomes

Centrioles

Cilia

Flagella

Nucleus

ER

Golgi apparatus

Central vacuole

Mitochondria

Chloroplasts

Lysosome

Cell wall

Extracellular matrix

Use the Venn diagrams below to compare and contrast different types of cells.

Prokaryotes Eukaryotes

Plant cells Animal cells