Unit 2 - The Building Blocks of Life

In this unit we will study the basic building blocks of all life -- the cell. We will learn to recognize the structures of cells and their functions. In the process we will use our knowledge of structure to distinguish different types of cells such as prokaryotic from eukaryotic cells and animal cells from plant cells. Finally, we will focus on how all cells use four major molecules -- carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids -- to build the structures that maintain them as the basic unit of life. So, our goal this week is simple:

(1) Learn the similarities and differences between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells.
(2) Learn the structure and function of organelles in the eukaryotic cell.
(3) Compare and contrast Animal Cells v.s. Plant cells.
(4) Identify the function of the major macromolecues in the cell, namely carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.

SB1: Students will analyze the nature of the relationships between structures and functions in living cells.
a. Explain the roll of cell organelles for both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, including the cell membrane in maintaining homeostasis and cell reproduction.
c. Identify the function of the four major macromolecules (i.e., carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids)

Instruction this week will be a mixture of direct instruction, worksheets, and interactive activities. To help you learn the structures of a cell, you will build a 3-D model of a cell.

Assignment 1: View power point lesson entitled "Life is Cellular." Take notes. Complete the quiz at the end of the lesson and then complete Section 1 in the Cell Structure and Function worksheet. (Click here to see worksheet) (Click here to begin power point lesson)

Assignment 2: Mini-lecture explaining similarities and differences between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells. Take notes and participate in the class discussion. Fill-in appropriate parts of Section 2 of the worksheet.

Click here for a video version of the mini-lecture on the Prokaryotic Cell.
Click here for a video version of the mini-lecture on the Eukaryotic Cell.

Click here to see a handout that will make it easy to compare prokayotes to eukaryotes.
You can also watch the following videos that summarize what you have learned about Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic cells.





Assignment 3: Watch the following video on the "Evolutionary Origin of Eukaryotic Cells". (note: if the video does not play on your computer, click here to see a power point version) After watching the video and/or viewing power point, write a short paragraph (in Section 3 of the worksheet) in which you explain in your own words how scientists think eukaryotic cells came to be. (Watch the video or view power point as many times as needed to answer the question)



Assignment 4: The objective in this lesson is to learn the structure and function of the various organelles in eukaryotic cells, both animal and plant cells. Use the links to all the websites and presentations given below to help you accomplish this task.
Take your time. Look at all the videos and links. Fill-in the table in Section 4 of the Cell Structure and Function worksheet as you go, taking extra time to carefully label the diagrams of the animal cell and plant cell.

Look at the cell membrane and cell wall first. Click here.

Click here to access a most helpful interactive website. Look at both the animal and plant cell.

To check out the next website, click here. It's also interactive and very helpful.

Click here to see the next resource. It is the best resource for the function of organelles.

Finally, click here to watch a short video on cilia and flagella.

Helpful Hint: To help learn cell structures and their functions, make flash cards for each cell organelle (structure). Write the name of each cell structure on one side of a card and its function on the other side.

If you are still having trouble learning the structure and function of organelles, watch this music video entitled "The Cell Song."



Assignment 5: Plant Cell vs. Animal Cell - mini-lecture. Take notes and participate in class discussion. Complete the Venn Diagram comparing an animal cell to a plant cell (Section 4 of the worksheet).

To see the unique structures of a plant cell, click here, then select "Turn This Cell into a Plant Cell" from the computer screen.

Turn in your worksheet when you have completed it. It will be graded. Leave no blanks.

Assignment 6: Build a 3-D model of an Animal Cell. Click here to see instructions for building your model and the rubric by which your model will be graded.

Now that we are familiar with the cell and its components, we are going to take a closer look at the molecular building blocks from which they are constructed. The building blocks are commonly referred to a macromolecules. We will study 4 different kinds of macromolecules -- carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.

Assignment 7: Macromolecules -- mini-lecture. Listen carefully and fill-in the information on the Macromolecules Table. Click here to see table.

The following short video entitled "What are macromolecules" is a good overview of macromolecules.

The following links will give you detailed information about the four major kinds of macromolecules...
Click here to learn about Carbohydrates
Click here to learn about Protiens
Click here to learn about Lipids
Click here to learn about Nucleic Acids.

Review what you have learned by clicking on the following website. Run through the exercise (game) several times by pushing the "shuffle" button and seeing if you can fill in the hidden information before looking at the answer in your worksheet. Do this enough times to be able to fill in the entire macromolecules table without notes.

Assignment 8: Review for the unit test. Study the information on your worksheets, especially the Venn Diagrams. Also use your Flash Cards. Finally, click on this website to review what you just learned about Macromolecules. Play the matching game until you can match everything in each of the categories in 10 seconds or less.


Unit Test: The Building Blocks of Life. The test includes everything we covered in the lessons above, including all the structures of prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells as well as the difference between animal and plant cells. Know the four kinds of macromolecules that make up all cells, the elements and building blocks they are make of, examples of each, their functions in the cell, and special features.