Cell Chat: Cell Structure and Function Lab Stations

Subject

Science, Biology, General Science

Grade Levels

8^th, 9^th, 10^th, 11^th, Homeschool

Resource Type

Activities, Laboratory, Cooperative Learning

Product Rating

4.0

•7 Ratings

File Type

Compressed Zip File

Be sure that you have an application to open this file type before downloading and/or purchasing.

125 MB|73 pages

Product Description

These 11 "Cell Chat!" lab stations will ensure that your students have mastered the concepts that you cover in your unit on cells. Students will work together to solve a problem, complete a task, and /or carry out a small experiment at each of the 11 stations. I use the word “chat” to emphasize to my students that they are to work together and have a productive discussion at each lab station in order to maximize their understanding and mastery of the concepts being covered.

What is included in this product?

26 Pages of Student Worksheets
11 Cell Chat Lab Station Instruction Cards
9 Page Teacher Guide
20 Page Teacher Answer Key
6 Additional Lab Station Diagrams

What is the purpose of this activity?

My “Chat” activities involve lab stations and cooperative student groups. This type of student interaction is a powerful teaching tool. The relaxed atmosphere of a small group setting often leads to increased mastery of the subject matter content.

This chat activity covers the topics found in a unit on cell structure and function. Students will explore the history of the cell, and learn that there are limits to cell growth. Students will learn to make wet mount slides, and discover the benefits of using stains. Students will gain the hands-on experience they need to improve their microscopy skills. At one lab station students will determine surface area to volume ratios in cells, while watching the mitochondria in action at another station. Most importantly, students will extensively review cell organelles, the differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, and the differences between plant and animal cells.

The lab stations are independent of each other. Do just a few lab stations or do them all! Stations not requiring lab equipment can be completed with a sub, or as a homework assignment.

All materials are completely editable.

Check out the preview for a detailed description of each lab station and a complete materials list.

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Love my chat activities? Check these out:

Science Chat for Biology

Chemistry Chat

Physics Chat

Microscope Chat

Mitosis (and Meiosis!) Chat

Ecology Chat 1: Introduction to Ecology

Ecology Chat 2: Population Ecology

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What are the benefits of this activity?

Group work is an important part of what we do in a science class, and it is a skill that will be needed throughout life. Lab station activities teach students how to work together to achieve a goal.
Lab Stations break down the information into smaller and more manageable units. This prevents students from becoming overwhelmed when faced with massive amounts of information.
These lab stations will ensure that your students have mastered the basic concepts of cell structure and function.
Lab stations are a great review tool for the unit test.
"Students helping students" is a powerful teaching tool.

What will the students be doing?

There are 11 lab stations. Students will rotate through the stations, completing the tasks at each station. Each station will highlight an cell-related task to be completed by the group as well as a worksheet of analysis questions. There are 26 pages of student worksheets.

Need to save paper? No problem! Place one copy of the student worksheet at each lab station and have students complete the work on their own notebook paper.

What are the stations in this activity?

Station: The History of Cell Studies
Station: Are There Limits to Cell Growth?
Station: Cell Organelles
Station: Prokaryotic or Eukaryotic?
Station: Comparing Plant and Animal Cells
Station: Plant Cell Organelles
Station: The Mitochondria
Station: Levels of Cellular Organization
Station: Comparing Specialized Cells
Station: The Cell Membrane
Station: Cell Acrostic Puzzle

What concepts are covered?

The Discovery of the Cell. Students will read a short biography about Robert Hooke and answer a set of analysis questions.
Limits to Cell Growth: Students will determine the surface area to volume ratio in a variety of cells.
Organelles and structures found in animal cells. Students will label the cell and review the functions of the nucleus, nucleolus, nuclear membrane, chromosomes, ribosomes, rough ER, smooth ER, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, vacuoles, mitochondria, the cytoskeleton, the cell membrane, and centrioles.
Organelles and structures found in plant cells. Students will label the plant cell and review the functions of the large central vacuole, chloroplasts, and cell wall.
Differences between plant and animal cells.
Levels of Cellular Organization: Unicellular, colonial, multicellular, cell specialization, tissues, organs, systems.
Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells: Definitions and differences between these two types of cells.
Structure of the Cell Membrane: Phospholipid bilayer, integral proteins, transport proteins, cell markers, carbohydrates.

The 9-page teacher guide includes: