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Cell Chat Lab Stations - Organelles, Plant and Animal Cells
Cell Chat Lab Stations - Organelles, Plant and Animal Cells
Cell Chat Lab Stations - Organelles, Plant and Animal Cells
Cell Chat Lab Stations - Organelles, Plant and Animal Cells
Cell Chat Lab Stations - Organelles, Plant and Animal Cells
Cell Chat Lab Stations - Organelles, Plant and Animal Cells
Cell Chat Lab Stations - Organelles, Plant and Animal Cells
Cell Chat Lab Stations - Organelles, Plant and Animal Cells
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What others say

"I used this resource during my observation and my students and department chair were thoroughly impressed and interested in the lesson as a whole! "
star
Tiffany R.

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.

===========================================================

Love my chat activities? Check these out:

============================================================

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

Please Note:

If your students do not have previous knowledge about cell structure and function or the vocabulary used in a cell structure unit, prior instruction will be needed before attempting these lab stations. These lab stations are not intended to be a “first day of instruction” lesson. These lab stations are designed for review, reinforcement, and to build upon the foundation of knowledge that your students already have. This resource does not include teaching materials such as textbook readings, informational text readings, or a teaching PowerPoint.

Click this link to view my Cell Structure and Function Teaching PowerPoint and Notes Set

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:

  • Purpose of the activity.
  • Description of what students will be doing.
  • How to carry out your role as facilitator.
  • Materials List
  • Complete instructions for how to set up each lab station.
  • Tips and suggestions for successful completion of the activity.

This product also includes a very detailed 20-Page Teacher Answer Key

Related products include:

Cell Structure and Function Complete Teaching Bundle

Cell Structure and Function PowerPoint and Notes Set

Cell Organelle Acrostic Puzzle

Cell Organelles Mix -n- Match Review Game

Color By Number: Characteristics of Life and Introduction to Cells

Cell Organelles Color By Number

Lab Variation in Cell Structures and Cell Organelles

Worksheet: The Importance of Surface Area to Volume Ratio in Cells

Cells (Plant and Animal) Quiz / Homework / Review

BOOM Cards for Cell Organelles High School Edition

BOOM Cards for Cell Organelles Middle School Edition

Cell Organelles Matching Worksheet

Lab: Diversity of Cell Structures

Cell Organelles Crossword Puzzle

Quiz or Study Guide: Introduction to Cells

Quiz or Study Guide: The Animal Cell

Quiz or Study Guide: The Plant Cell

Quiz or Study Guide: Transport Across Membranes

Test: Cell Structure and Function and Membrane Transport

Cell Structure and Physiology Warm Ups, or Bell Ringers

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Report this resource to TPT
Reported resources will be reviewed by our team. Report this resource to let us know if this resource violates TPT's content guidelines.

Cell Chat Lab Stations - Organelles, Plant and Animal Cells

Amy Brown Science
22.9k Followers
$8.99

Highlights

Standards icon
Standards
Pages
73
Answer Key
Included
Teaching Duration
4 days

What others say

"I used this resource during my observation and my students and department chair were thoroughly impressed and interested in the lesson as a whole! "
star
Tiffany R.

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.

===========================================================

Love my chat activities? Check these out:

============================================================

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

Please Note:

If your students do not have previous knowledge about cell structure and function or the vocabulary used in a cell structure unit, prior instruction will be needed before attempting these lab stations. These lab stations are not intended to be a “first day of instruction” lesson. These lab stations are designed for review, reinforcement, and to build upon the foundation of knowledge that your students already have. This resource does not include teaching materials such as textbook readings, informational text readings, or a teaching PowerPoint.

Click this link to view my Cell Structure and Function Teaching PowerPoint and Notes Set

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:

  • Purpose of the activity.
  • Description of what students will be doing.
  • How to carry out your role as facilitator.
  • Materials List
  • Complete instructions for how to set up each lab station.
  • Tips and suggestions for successful completion of the activity.

This product also includes a very detailed 20-Page Teacher Answer Key

Related products include:

Cell Structure and Function Complete Teaching Bundle

Cell Structure and Function PowerPoint and Notes Set

Cell Organelle Acrostic Puzzle

Cell Organelles Mix -n- Match Review Game

Color By Number: Characteristics of Life and Introduction to Cells

Cell Organelles Color By Number

Lab Variation in Cell Structures and Cell Organelles

Worksheet: The Importance of Surface Area to Volume Ratio in Cells

Cells (Plant and Animal) Quiz / Homework / Review

BOOM Cards for Cell Organelles High School Edition

BOOM Cards for Cell Organelles Middle School Edition

Cell Organelles Matching Worksheet

Lab: Diversity of Cell Structures

Cell Organelles Crossword Puzzle

Quiz or Study Guide: Introduction to Cells

Quiz or Study Guide: The Animal Cell

Quiz or Study Guide: The Plant Cell

Quiz or Study Guide: Transport Across Membranes

Test: Cell Structure and Function and Membrane Transport

Cell Structure and Physiology Warm Ups, or Bell Ringers

For updates about sales and new products, please follow my store:

My TpT Store

Report this resource to TPT
Reported resources will be reviewed by our team. Report this resource to let us know if this resource violates TPT's content guidelines.

Reviews

4.9
Rated 4.88 out of 5, based on 58 reviews
58
ratings
5
51
4
7
3
0
2
0
1
0
Mostly used with 9th and 10th grades
Reviews
4
5
10
13
5
5
7th
8th
9th
10th
11th
12th
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Great way to review and I love that they are editable
Rated 5 out of 5
February 12, 2026
These were perfect as a pre-test review. I was able to edit them to suit my grade level, and specific equipment needs. I will definitely use these again! Very well done and worth the price! Students were challenged yet engaged. Thank you!
Hope B.
486 reviews • Alabama
Grades taught: 7th, 8th
Student populations: Autism, Emerging bilinguals, Learning difficulties, Mild to severe disabilities
Great Resource
Rated 5 out of 5
December 29, 2025
Thank you for creating this helpful resource to use in the classroom!
260 reviews • Pennsylvania
Grades taught: 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
great starter
Rated 5 out of 5
October 1, 2025
great starter for a unit and great stations.
Kathryn B.
235 reviews • Massachusetts
Grades taught: 9th
Rated 5 out of 5
May 10, 2025
Engaging activity for my 9th grade biology students. Great resource to get them moving around while learning.
Sarah L.
127 reviews
Grades taught: 9th
Rated 5 out of 5
May 17, 2024
Great resource! Very engaging and easy to follow. Thanks for creating this resource!
Elizabeth C.
591 reviews
Grades taught: 10th
Rated 4 out of 5
November 29, 2023
This is a great resource to use with middle school students.
Kandra H.
749 reviews
Grades taught: 8th
Rated 5 out of 5
October 31, 2023
My students enjoy use the biology chat stations. This is has many options for my cell unit. I greatly appreciate the ability to edit the station cards and handouts to fit my specific needs. Thank you!
Kelly W.
132 reviews
Grades taught: 9th, 10th
Rated 5 out of 5
September 24, 2023
This was lengthy and required a lot of set up but worth it!
Kimberly B.
241 reviews
Grades taught: 10th

Questions & Answers

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Standards

to see state-specific standards (only available in the US).
Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts.
Determine the central ideas or conclusions of a text; provide an accurate summary of the text distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.
Follow precisely a multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks.
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