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Name:_________________________________
Class Period:_____
Date:__________________
AN INTRODUCTION TO CELLS
GALLERY WALK
STATION 1 – HOW BIG IS A CELL?
Join one or two other people from your group at any of the computer stations (no more than 3 students
at each computer). Take turns exploring the interactive that is open on the computer screen. Use what
you’ve learned to answer the following questions. Do not open other tabs or windows during this time.
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/cells/scale/
1. What is the largest human cell? What is its diameter? (include units)
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2. What is the diameter of a red blood cell? (include units)
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3. What is the length and width of a sperm cell? (include units)
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4. What is the diameter of a skin cell? (include units)
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5. About how many egg cells do you think would fit inside a grain of salt? (use simple estimation, or
you may use math if you’d like)
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6. About how many red blood cells do you think would fit inside a human egg cell? (use simple
estimation, or you may use math if you’d like)
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7. Which of these objects do you think is the smallest you could still see with your naked eye
(without a microscope or magnifying lens)?
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8. What are you now wondering about the size of cells?
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STATION 2 – TYPES OF ANIMAL CELLS:
Examine the slides showcasing different types of animal cells. Use them to answer the following
questions:
1. Use your own words to describe a human muscle cell. What shape is it? Why do you think
it’s shaped that way (think about its function)? What other structures do you notice within
the cell?
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2. Describe a human sperm cell. What shape is it? Why do you think it’s shaped that way (think
about its function)? What do you think the inside of this cell might look like? Where might
the genetic information be stored?
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3. Describe a red blood cell. What shape is it? Why do you think it’s shaped that way (think
about its function)? What do you think the inside of this cell might look like?
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4. Describe a white blood cell. What shape is it? How is it different from a red blood cell? Why
do you think they look so different?
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5. Describe a brain cell. What shape is it? Why do you think it’s shaped that way (think about
its function)? What do you think inside of this cell might look like?
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6. Describe a bone cell. What is it shaped like? Why do you think it’s shaped like this (think
about its function)? Why do you suppose there is a canal in the center of the cell?
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STATION 3 – PROKARYOTES AND EUKARYOTES:
Read the article posted at this station. Use it to answer the following questions:
1. Complete the Venn Diagram below, comparing and contrasting prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
List 3-4 features that apply to each division (prokaryotic cells only, both prokaryotic and
eukaryotic cells, eukaryotic cells only).
2. What would be a benefit to being prokaryotic and having no membrane-bound organelles?
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3. What would be a benefit to being eukaryotic and having your DNA packed up in a nucleus?
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STATION 4 – COMPARING ANIMAL AND PLANT CELLS
Closely observe the following diagrams of a typical animal cell (bottom) and a typical plant cell (top). Use
your observations to answer the questions below. Once you’ve answered the questions, color in each
cell using different colors to represent different organelles.
1. Which organelles and/or features exist in the plant cell but not in the animal cell? Why do
you suppose plant cells require that/these feature(s)?
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2. Which organelles and/or features exist in the animal cell but not in the plant cell? Why do
you suppose animal cells require that/these feature(s)?
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STATION 5 – CELL STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION:
Watch the short video “Parts of an Animal Cell”. Use it to answer the following questions:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fzj6TRnXmps&feature=related
1. Where is the cell membrane? What is it made of? What is its function?
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2. What organelle regulates and controls all operations within the cell? Where can it be found?
What is found inside this organelle?
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3. What is the cytoplasm made of? Where in the cell is it found?
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4. What is the role of endoplasmic reticulum?
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5. What organelle is known as the powerhouse of the cell? What does it do?
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6. What is the function of lysosomes? What do you suppose cells would look like without them?
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