Mystery Cells

The situation• Use a cup to draw 3 circles on each page (2 pages) in your SN.

Day 1

The situation

• Police contacted the administration of Westwood Middle School early this morning. A dead body was found in the field behind our school. Investigators think it was murder and are asking for our cooperation to help solve the crime.

The situation

• “ We found no external marks on the body, suggesting no physical trauma. We did, however, recover some unique cells from inside the body that have been saved for analysis. Before we can determine what exactly they are, we need to decide whether or not they belong to a plant or animal species.”

Interview with the medical examiner

The situation

• In order for you to be of assistance to the police department, you need to learn more about cells, and the differences between them.

Research

You will look at ALL of the slides eventually,but only 6 today.

To learn more, you will use the classroom microscopes to view

slides of different cells.

Take your time to carefully draw what you see.

Today, you will look at each slide for 5 minutes.

1. Write down the number of the slide/microscope you are looking at.

2. Use the circles in your science notebook to draw what you see.

3. Make a prediction - Is it a plant OR animal cell? Write one!

When you get to a microscope…

Let me show you…

1. Number

2. Drawing

3. PredictionPlant or animal

Each circle should have 3 things…

3

Plant

• Monday, November 5

• Journal: What are some characteristics of the cells that you observed on Thursday?

• Schedule: Cell Lab day 2

• Homework: None

Day 2

• Please respond to the following using complete sentences:1. Do all cells look alike?2. Give some examples of how they are

different.3. Why might some cells be different from

others?

* Use page #40 In your ISN*

ReflectionLeft-hand page

The situation• Use a cup to draw 1 circle on each page (2 pages) in your SN.

• Label one “Plant” and the other “Animal”

Plant Animal

• You are an animal.

• An onion is a plant.

Prepare your own plant and animal slides using onion

cells and YOUR cells!

Draw what you see!

Wednesday, November 7

Journal: Why do cells look different?

Schedule: Finish Cell Lab

Homework: Letter to the SLP police

• When you are finished with your drawings, look on pages 68-69 of your textbook

• Write down 5 observations EACH about plant and animal cells.*Do this under your drawings in your SN*

Animal Cell(Human Cheek)

Plant Cell(Onion)

Copy into your SN

Slide #

OriginalClaim

New Claim Evidence (Why?)

Now that you know a little more about the differences between plant and animal cells, look back at your work from day 1. 1. In the chart, write down each number

that you looked at and your prediction2. Using what you’ve learned, write

whether it is a plant or animal cell AND why.

Reflection

Example

Slide #

OriginalClaim

New Claim Evidence (Why?)

34 Plant Plant I could see a large central vacuole, and only plant cells have them

Day 3

The situation

What have you learned/noticed about the shapes of plant and animal cells?

Animal:• Often irregular or odd shapes

Plant:• Often boxes or square shaped, sometimes

circles

Review - Shape

The situation

What have you learned/noticed about the organization of plant and animal cells?

Animal:• Often irregular or clumped

Plant:• Very organized or ordered, stacked on top

of one another, rows

Review - Organization

The situation

What structures do plant cells have that animal cells do not?

Let’s take a closer look.

Review - Structures

Animal and Plant Cell Comparisons

Cell Part Function/Job

Cell Wall

Large Central Vacuole (LCV)

Chloroplast

Create this table on a new page.

Functions/Jobs of Cell Parts• Please read/look over the following pages to

complete the table. Cell Wall – pg. 68 Chloroplast – pg. 72 Large Central Vacuole (LCV) – pg. 74 (HINT: Look

in the table at the bottom of the page)

Use the HEADINGS to guide your search for

information!!!

PAIR AND SHAREWhat is the function of the cell wall?

Cell Part Function/Job

Cell Wall gives structure and support to the cell

This is why plant cells have a defined shape!

PAIR AND SHAREWhat is the function of the large central vacuole?

Cell Part Function/JobLarge Central Vacuole (LCV)

stores water and other materials

When this isn’t full of water you will see the leaves of your plant droop, this means “I need water!”

PAIR AND SHAREWhat is the function of the chloroplast?

Cell Part Function/Job

Chloroplast uses the energy from sunlight to produce food for the plant

This process is called photosynthesis and it is a chemical reaction.

Cell Part Function/Job

Cell Wallgives structure and support to the cell (this is why plant cells have a defined shape)

Large Central Vacuole (LCV)

stores water and other materials (when this isn’t full

of water you will see the leaves of your plant droop, this means “I need water!”)

Chloroplastuses the energy from sunlight to produce food for the plant

(This process is called photosynthesis and it is a

chemical reaction.)

Create a Leaf• You are going to show all that you have just

learned by creating a leaf to hang on our tree.• Your leaf MUST:

List ALL THREE differences between animal and plant cells

Explain what each part does• For example

A plant cell has:

A _______ for _______

a _______ for _______

and a ________ for ________ .

Plant cells have:Large Central Vacuole (LCV)• Holds water and other materials

Cell Wall• Provides structure and support for the cell

Chloroplasts• Contain chlorophyll• Play a role in photosynthesis

The situation

• The medical examiner has attached a copy of the microscopic views of the cells found within the dead body. Please draw them in your science notebook and write 5 observations (BE SPECIFIC!)

*Use page #45 in your ISN (Right)*

Your task

Human body cells

Invading cells

The situation

• Next, submit your findings in a letter to the police department for formal review. *Remember, this is a professional document!*

Make your claim AND support it with evidence!!!

*Use page #44 In your ISN (Left)*

Your task

ATTN: SLP Police Department

I have some information to add to your case regarding the recent discovery of a dead body behind Westwood Middle School. It is my belief that . . .