Cells
Detailed microscopic images of living cells.Copyright National Institute of General Medical Sciences , National Institutes of Health http://www.nigms.nih.gov/Publications/FactSheet_Cells.htm
In this unit, students look at the components of cells and their functions and discover the controversy behind stem cell research.
Engineers design systems to remove harmful bacteria found in drinking water. So, clearly, they know a lot about cell behavior in order to design beneficial systems. And, engineers use their knowledge of cells to make products that offer strong protection against harmful bacteria and also enhance the growth of beneficial bacteria (such as soap vs. compounds to break down harmful pollution). Through the process of bioremediation, engineers use their knowledge of cells to promote the growth of cells that break down toxic compounds into harmless byproducts that aid in the protection of our environment.
From engineering tools for observation on the molecular level to chemical and bioengineering of natural fluorescent dyes to examine cell replication in an organism, engineering developments and design have helped advance research of all types of cells. Engineering influences science and medical research by facilitating the understanding of how cells are influenced in all directions by their environment and how they behave in our bodies.
- MS-ETS1-2 Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
Grades 6-8
This resource focuses on the following Three Dimensional Learning aspects of NGSS:
Science & Engineering Practices- Evaluate competing design solutions based on jointly developed and agreed-upon design criteria.Do you agree with this alignment?
Disciplinary Core Ideas- There are systematic processes for evaluating solutions with respect to how well they meet the criteria and constraints of a problem.Do you agree with this alignment?
Do you agree with this alignment? - Evaluate competing design solutions based on jointly developed and agreed-upon design criteria.
- MS-LS1-2 Develop and use a model to describe the function of a cell as a whole and ways parts of cells contribute to the function.
Grades 6-8
This resource focuses on the following Three Dimensional Learning aspects of NGSS:
Science & Engineering Practices- Develop and use a model to describe phenomena.Do you agree with this alignment?
Disciplinary Core Ideas- Within cells, special structures are responsible for particular functions, and the cell membrane forms the boundary that controls what enters and leaves the cell.Do you agree with this alignment?
Crosscutting Concepts- Complex and microscopic structures and systems can be visualized, modeled, and used to describe how their function depends on the relationships among its parts, therefore complex natural structures/systems can be analyzed to determine how they function.Do you agree with this alignment?
Do you agree with this alignment? - Develop and use a model to describe phenomena.
- Day 1: Cell Celebration! lesson
- Day 2 and Day 5: Sudsy Cells activity (Note: 50 minutes for the initial activity, two days (48 hours) for incubation of Petri dishes and 50 minutes to record and analyze results)
- Day 3: Cellular Respiration and Bioremediation lesson
- Day 4: Breathing Cells activity
- Day 6: The Cloning of Cells lesson
- Day 6-7: Glowing Flowers activity
Supporting Program
Integrated Teaching and Learning Program, College of Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder
Acknowledgements
This digital library content was developed by the Integrated Teaching and Learning Program under National Science Foundation GK-12 grant no. 0338326. However, these contents do not necessarily represent the policies of the National Science Foundation and you should not assume endorsement by the federal government.
Copyright
2008 by Regents of the University of Colorado