Topic 1:  Cells

Unit 1:  Characteristics of Life and Cell Theory
Essential Ideas: 
  • Living things are composed of Cells that share common characteristics.
  • There is an unbroken chain of life from the first cells on Earth to all cells in organisms alive today.

1.1.U2: Organisms consisting of only one cell carry out all functions of life in that cell
1.1.U1: According to the cell theory, living organisms are composed of cells
1.1.NOS1:  Looking for trends and discrepancies - although most organisms conform to cell theory, there are exceptions
1.1.A1: Questioning the cell theory using atypical examples, including striated muscle, giant algae and aseptate fungal hyphae
1.1.A2: Investigation of functions of life in Paramecium and one named photosynthetic unicellular organism
1.5.U1:  Cells can only be formed by division of pre-existing cells
1.5.U2:  The first cells must have arisen from non-living material
1.5.NOS:  Testing the general principles that underlie the natural world- the principles that cells only come from preexisting cells needs to be verified
1.5.A1:  Evidence from Pasteur's experiments that spontaneous generation of cells and  organisms does not now occur on Earth

Lesson 1 (8/13):  What is the nature of life?
Activity:    Pandora viruses.

Lesson 2 (8/16):  Introduction to cell theory.
Activity:  Characteristics of life (card sort)
Slides:  introduction to cell theory

Lesson 3 (8/17):  Origins of Life 
Slides (1) (Exceptions to cell theory and origins of life)
Slides (2)-the experiments 
Activity:  the Anachronism
Extra:  History of Science Experiments
​
​Lesson 4 (8/20):  Cellular Complexity
Quiz:  Characteristics of life and cell theory 
Video:  Science explains origins of life (stated clearly)
​Slides

Lesson 5 (8/22):  Exploration of pondwater organisms
Virtual lab-introduction to microscopes
Lab Activity 

Pondwater Identification Guide
Pondwater identification guide 
Pondwater identification guide (with photos)

 Unit 2:  Microscopy

Essential Ideas: 
  • Microscopes are an essential tool in cell biology.   
  • Advances in technology have shaped our understanding of cellular structures.
  • As microscopes grew more powerful, greater detail became visible, exposing new complexities.

THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE:
Is there any distinction to be drawn between knowledge claims dependent upon observations made by sense perception and knowledge claims dependent upon observations assisted by technology?

1.2.U4:  Electron microscopes have a much higher resolution than light microscopes
1.2.NOS:  Developments in scientific research follows improvements in apparatus- the invention of the electron microscopes led to greater understanding of cell structure
1.1.S1:  Use of a light microscope to investigate the structure of cells and tissues
1.1.S2:  Drawing cell structures as seen with the light microscope
1.1.S3:  Calculation of the magnification of drawings and the actual size of structures and ultrastructures shown in drawings or micrographs

Lesson 5 (8/24):  Size of life in the cellular realm
​Explore:  "Scale of things". 
Activity:  Scale Exploration (worksheet)
slides (1) Lab Debrief

Lesson 6 (8/28):   Introduction to Microscopy  
Activity:  Sort the Objects from largest to smallest (slideshow)
slides:   Scale, cells and Microscope math 
Video: Von Leeuwenhoek 
Extra:  Zoology for paleoartists (link 1) 
           Electron Microscopes and Dinosaur Feathers (link2)
           Dinosaur feathers Video (link 3)

Lesson 7 (8/31):   Microscope practical (Prescribed)
Slides
Practical Hand-outs 

Lesson 8 (9/4):  Microscope math and exam revision
Resources from Von Bargen (biologyforlife)
​Slides
Slides (magnification practice)

9/7:  Exam:   Unit 1-2.  

​Unit 3:  Prokaryotes vs Eukaryotes
ESSENTIAL IDEA:  Eukaryotes have a much more complex cell structure than prokaryotes.

Prokaryotic Cells
1.2.U1:  Prokaryotes have a simple cell structure without compartmentalization
1.2.S1:  Drawings of the ultrastructure of prokaryotic cells based on electron micrographs
3.2.U1:  Prokaryotes have one chromosome consisting of a circular DNA molecule
3.2.U2:  Some prokaryotes also have plasmids but eukaryotes do not
1.2.U3:  Prokaryotes divide by binary fission
6.3.U7:  Antibiotic blocks processes that occur in prokaryotic cells but not in eukaryotic cells
6.3.U8:  Viruses lack a metabolism and cannot therefore be treated with antibiotics
6.3.A3:  Florey and Chain’s experiments to test penicillin on bacterial infections in mice
6.3.NOS:  Risks associated with scientific research- Florey and Chain’s tests on the safety of penicillin would not be compliant with current protocol on testing

9/11:  Prokaryotes
Link:  Slides (Prokaryotic cell structure)
Link:  Video-Microbiome
Interactive:  Discovery of Antibiotics  
​

Eukaryotic Cells
1.2.U2:  Eukaryotes have a compartmentalized cell structure
1.2.S2:  Drawings of the ultrastructure of eukaryotic cells based on electron micrographs
1.2.S3:  Interpretations of electron micrographs to identify organelles and deduce the function of specialized cells
1.4.U3:  Vesicles move materials within cells
1.2.A1:  Structure and function of organelles within exocrine gland cells of the pancreas
1.2.A2:  Structure and function of organelles within palisade mesophyll cells of the leaf
1.5.U3: The origin of eukaryotic cells can be explained by the endosymbiotic theory

Lesson 7 (9/13):  Cells:  from simple to complex 
Slides 1:  Survey of ultrastructure Slides 2:  Human experimentation
Lesson 8 (9/17):  Eukaryotic Ultrastructure
Slides 1:  Survey of ultrastructure (eukaryotes)

Slides 2:  Unknown cell structures to identify 
Extra:  Article on mitochondrial transplants
Video link:  Mitochondrial transplantation 
Extra:  Review.  Organelles and compartments

Lesson 9 (9/19):  Eukaryotic Ultrastructure
Slides 1:  Review of cell structures
Link:  Inner Life of the Cell (video) 

Upcoming:  Quiz on cell structures (9/21).  Covers both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.  Review basic structures and their functions.   Quiz will be in the format of a Google form.  Make sure to come with devices charged and ready to go!

Lesson 10 (9/21):  How Microscopes changed our understanding of cells.
Slides 2:  How Microscopes changed our understanding of cells
Video animation:  inside of a cell

Lesson 11 (9/25):  Exploration of cellular landscapes.
Link: 1.   Activity-exploration of a cell
         Article-David Goodsell Cellular Landscapes
         Video:  David Goodsell

Link 2.  Activity-travel in the bathysphere. Link 3.   Activity-role play protein secretion
Lesson 12 (9/27):  Surface Area to Volume Ratio
​Slides 
Activity:  Sugar Cube Modeling
 1.1:  Stem Cells


Lesson 13 (10/1):  Stem Cells and stem cell therapies
Slides.
Link:  Wisdom teeth and stem cells 
Link:  Fat cells and stem cells
​Extra:  Explore stem cells
Extra:  Stargardt's disease (video)  

Lesson 14 (10/5):  Stem cells
Slides 
Video interview (1)
Video interview (2)
Video interview (3)
Link:  Biointeractive
Extra:  Video clip on cultured stem cells
Extra:  Video clip on "factors" in stem cell differentiation 
​Extra:  Stem cell culture  

Lesson 15 (10/16):  Introduction to Cell Division
​Slides 
Click and learn Revision (mitosis stages)
Article:  How do cells KNOW when to divide?  

Lesson 16 (10/18):  Cancer and the cell cycle 
Slides 1
​Slides 2 
Animations on cancer and cell cycle
Mutation simulator
Link:  Cyclins and the Cell Cycle 
Extras:
Vsauce:  Why don't we all have cancer?
TED talk (Cancer communication)
Link:  TED-using immune cells for drug delivery  

Lesson 17 (10/22):  Cyclins, the cell cycle, and cancer
Slides  
Link:  Virtual lab activity (mitotic index).
Handout for lab activity  
Extra:  Cell cycle and cancer (Kahn Academy)
Extra:  Cyclins and the Cell cycle 
Extra:  TED talk (Ben Goldacre:  Battling Bad Science)
Upcoming:  Quiz on 10/26 (Topic 1.6 Cell division and cancer)

Extra:  Development of a Cancer drug-Philadelphia chromosome
slides
Link:  Click and learn 
​
1.3:  Membrane Structure
ESSENTIAL IDEA:  The structure of biological membranes makes them fluid and dynamic.
NATURE OF SCIENCE:  
  • Using models as representations of the real world--there are alternative models of membrane structure.
  • Falsification of theories with one theory being superseded by another--evidence falsified the Davson-Danielli model
THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE:
Under what circumstances is it important to learn about theories that were later discredited?


Lesson 18 (10/26):  Introduction to biological membranes
Slides
Link:  Video-bozeman science 

Lesson 19 (10/30):  Biological membranes-historical perspective
Slides (1)
Slides (2) 
TEDed:  Insights into biological membranes from soap

1.4:  Membrane Transport
​ESSENTIAL IDEA:  Membranes control the composition of cells by active and passive transport.
NATURE OF SCIENCE:
  • Experimental design--accurate quantitative measurement in osmosis experiments are essential.   

Understandings:
  • Particles move across membranes by simple diffusion, facilitated diffusion, osmosis and active transport
  • The fluidity of membranes allows materials to be taken into cells by endocytosis or released by exocytosis
  • Vesicles move materials within cells
Applications:
  • Structure and function of sodium-potassium pumps for active transport and potassium channels for facilitated diffusion in axons
  • Tissues or organs to be used in medical procedures must be bathed in a solution with the same osmolarity as the cytoplasm to prevent osmosis
Skills:
  • Estimation of osmolarity in tissues by bathing samples in hypotonic and hypertonic solutions


Lesson 20 (11/5):  Membrane structure and introduction to transport
Slides (1)
Slides (2)
Link:  Crash course Membrane Transport
Link:  Summary of membrane transport mechanisms (simple) 
                 
Activity 1 (linked handout 1):  Modeling with phospholipids 
                 (linked handout 2):  Building phosopholipids


Activity 2 (linked handout):  Modeling membrane transport 

Lesson 21:  Osmosis and Diffusion
Slides:  Osmosis
Slides:  Extended Essay in Group 4 

Lesson 22:  Day 1
Lab activity:
Determination of tissue osmolarity
Slides
Lab Procedure (linked here)

Spreadsheet for 6th period
Spreadsheet for 8th period

Lesson 23:  Day 2
Slides (report and statistics) 
​Slides (lab debrief)  
Lab Report Guide (Full report due on 11/29). 

​Video:  Standard Deviation calculation
Link:  Investigation resources 

Lesson 24 (11/27):  
Lab Rubric  
Animation:  CFTR
Membrane Transport Recap (slides) 

Lesson 25 (11/29)
Link:  Animation of Membrane transport mechanisms 
Link:  animation of ion channels in nerves