Cell structure and tissues
The understanding of cell structure and function, the cell theory, is a unifying concept in biology. All living organisms have similarities as well as differences in relation to cell structure, cell biochemistry and cell function. At level 3/KS5, students need to extend their knowledge and understanding of cell structure and function from previous studies and be able to apply this understanding to a range of biological processes. The similarities and differences in the structure and ultra structure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells being key to developing understanding of a range of biological functions.
Students should be provided with a variety of practical opportunities to develop microscopy skills to support their understanding of cell structure. For this reason, the resources that are listed below should also be viewed alongside those listed under the categories of ‘classifying and observing microorganisms’ and ‘exchange and transport’.
Whilst this list provides a source of information and ideas for experimental work, it is important to note that recommendations can date very quickly. Do NOT follow suggestions which conflict with current advice from CLEAPSS, SSERC or other recent safety guides. eLibrary users are responsible for ensuring that any activity, including practical work, which they carry out is consistent with current regulations related to Health and Safety and that they carry an appropriate risk assessment. Further information is provided in our Health and Safety guidance.
The Cell *suitable for home teaching*
This resource includes videos, activities, articles and a poster covering aspects of cell biology for post-16 students. The aspects of cell biology covered include: cell structure, cell signalling, cell division, apoptosis lysosomes and stem cell research
This is an extensive resource package, which includes the Wellcome Trust Big Picture magazine, referred to below in 'Secrets of Cells'. In addition there are several presentations which include some great images. These can be used as class presentations; one of the presentations is an activity where students have to identify the presented images (answers are provided). There is also a useful video on working with cells and a high quality labelled diagram showing the ultrastructure of a cell.
Secrets of Cells *suitable for home teaching*
This issue of the Big Picture, from the Wellcome Trust, looks inside the cells that make up every part of the human body. Focussing on animal cells, the articles are suitable for post-16 students. The topics covered include: ‘What are cells for?’ ‘What are the structures of cells?’ ‘How do cells divide, develop and communicate?’ ‘What are stem cells and why are they important?’ ‘What happens when cells die?’ Also included is a poster, showing detailed cell structure, and a lesson plan to help students discuss the moral and ethical issues around the use of stem cells.
Note: The videos are no longer available.
What's in a Cell? *suitable for home teaching*
This is an article from the Catalyst magazine which provides an overview summary of how electron microscopes enable us to see a cell’s ultrastructure. The article includes detailed electron micrographs of two Acinar cells from a pancreas, which would display well on a white board/hand held device. Students could be asked to identify as many organelles as possible (with a rationale) and then compare this with the detailed key provided on the final page of the article.
Seeing Inside Cells *suitable for home teaching*
This Catalyst article focuses on how various types of microscopes are used to investigate the cellular environment.
Students could be given this article as pre-reading for a lesson, they could be asked to make use of the web link in the article to view images from a range of different microscopes.
V Cell
Part of the V cell animation collection, this website provides an animated video virtual tour of a cell. The animation can be broken into separate sections, each focusing on one particular organelle and there is a ‘review at your own pace’ option at the end, allowing students to read more detail or see annotations on freeze-frames of the video. The animation provides an excellent way for students to visualise the cell in 3D from a first-person perspective and see dynamic processes, rather than two dimensional static diagrams.
Freeze frame images from the animation could be used in class as part of a quiz, whereas excerpts could be shown when teaching this topic to help students appreciate the dynamic and three dimensional nature of a cell. The video animation could also be linked to an independent learning platform such as a VLE, where students can view the entire animation.
Cells Alive!
This website provides a variety of animations and activities related to cell ultrastructure. Interactive animations of plant, animal and bacterial cells are included and students can navigate through these animations to explore the structure and function of cell organelles. Although the quality of the animations is limited to mostly two dimensional diagrams (and has since been surpassed by more modern CGI style graphics), the activities are nonetheless useful revision aids. The website also includes a range of short interactive activities such as organelle pair cards, cell jigsaw puzzles and worksheets.
Cell structure quiz
A detailed diagram of a cell and organelles for students to label with the name of the structure and its function. Structures include rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum, vacuole, ribosome, Golgi apparatus, cell wall, nucleus, chloroplast and mitochondrion. This would make a useful read ahead/research task for students to complete using an additional information source such as a textbook or website reference. Answers are provided.
Cellular soap opera
From Exploratorium, this activity provides a way in which soap bubbles can be used to model the behaviour of cell membranes. The activity can be used across a range of ages, but for post 16 students it provides a way of demonstrating and discussing the key properties of cell membranes. The self-sealing nature of a membrane can be demonstrated by students pushing a pen or pencil through a soap bubble without it bursting and the continuous nature of cell membranes can be shown by fusing several bubbles together, rather like that of a developing embryo.
Investigating the effect of temperature on plant cell membranes
From the Royal Society of Biology, this is a classic investigation that looks at the effect of temperature on the permeability of plant cell membranes. Usually delivered as part of the topic on cells or exchange and transport, the investigation makes use of key pieces of apparatus such as the thermostatically controlled water bath and colorimeter to generate quantitative results. Students benefit from the practical experience of handling such apparatus and also develop their skills with graph plotting and interpretation of results.
Cell micrographs
From BioNinja, this website provides a variety of cell micrographs that illustrate bacterial, plant and animal cells along with associated organelles. Key features of a cell or organelle can be selected which results in the relevant part of the micrograph being highlighted. The images would be a good revision aid for students to study independently or they could be used in lesson as a teaching aid, either on a main whiteboard for discussion or printed with label lines attached and students asked to identify each organelle shown
Model Cells
Although aimed at KS3/4, this activity could be adapted for use in KS5. Modelling is a key methodby which students can develop their understanding of science; it is particularly useful when dealing with abstract ideas that can’t easily be seen in everyday life (such as the ultrastructure of cells). Students could use a variety of materials to represent organelles and an online search will show various examples that have been created in the past. The basic model building activity could be extended by asking students to attach labels to each organelle (cocktail sticks and post it notes are good for this), illustrate dynamic processes such as enod/exocytosis or build the model to scale.
