Unit 4

Unit 4, Cell Functions

Pictured above is the eukaryotic process of cell division, also known as the cell cycle.

California Content Standards in this Unit:

Cell Biology

All living organisms are composed of cells, from just one to many trillions, whose details usually are visible only through a microscope. As a basis for understanding this concept:

Students know cells function similarly in all living organisms.
Students know the characteristics that distinguish plant cells from animal cells, including chloroplasts and cell walls.
Students know the nucleus is the repository for genetic information in plant and animal cells.
Students know that mitochondria liberate energy for the work that cells do and that chloroplasts capture sunlight energy for photosynthesis.
Students know cells divide to increase their numbers through a process of mitosis, which results in two daughter cells with identical sets of chromosomes.
Students know that as multicellular organisms develop, their cells differentiate.

Genetics

A typical cell of any organism contains genetic instructions that specify its traits. Those traits may be modified by environmental influences. As a basis for understanding this concept:

Students know DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the genetic material of living organisms and is located in the chromosomes of each cell.

Structure and Function in Living Systems

The anatomy and physiology of plants and animals illustrate the complementary nature of structure and function. As a basis for understanding this concept:

Students know plants and animals have levels of organization for structure and function, including cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, and the whole organism.
Students know organ systems function because of the contributions of individual organs, tissues, and cells. The failure of any part can affect the entire system.

Investigation and Experimentation

Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions and conducting careful investigations. As a basis for understanding this concept and addressing the content in the other three strands, students should develop their own questions and perform investigations. Students will:

Select and use appropriate tools and technology (including calculators, computers, balances, spring scales, microscopes, and binoculars) to perform tests, collect data, and display data.
Construct scale models, maps, and appropriately labeled diagrams to communicate scientific knowledge (e.g., motion of Earth's plates and cell structure).

About Unit 4, Cell Functions

This 3 week unit (parts of textbook chapters 2 & 3) will focus on three main concepts: cells capturing and releasing energy (Ch. 2.2), cellular movement of materials (Ch. 2.3), and the cell cycle (Ch. 3.2). As far as technology, we will be working on developing several skills centered around computer drawing, graphical layout, and online forums.

Cell Cycle Comic Project

There are several goals for the Cell Cycle Comic Project: 1. Reinforce learning of the cell cycle by creating a narrative explanation of the process. 2. Students learn to create diagrams using basic computer drawing tools. 3. Students learn to use their drawing images for a visual layout using Comic Life. 4. Show creativity in communicating scientific knowledge. The Cell Cycle Comic is a solo project. See your teacher for the due date since classes will be doing this project at different times.

General requirements/guideline: Create a comic using Comic Life that shows and narrates the details of the cell cycle. See your Cornell notes, pages 80-85, and the below web resources for information on the cell cycle. The comic must be at least 2 pages and no more than 5 pages. The comic must have original diagrams of the cell cycle phases though you may use other appropriate images. Humor is acceptable though it must be in good scientific taste.

Grading: Your project will receive FULL points if it narrates and shows with original computer drawings: interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase, and cytokinesis in a comic that use Comic Life.

Procedure: You need to use a program that has basic drawing tools. Export each drawing to a graphic file. Try to keep all of your files in one folder or on a flash drive. After creating many of your drawings, use Comic Life to show and explain the cell cycle. Import your images and use text areas to narrate the cell cycle.

Stay Organized: You will be working with a group of files in this project so you should create a folder to keep all of your files together in one place. It also helps to appropriately name your files to keep track of them.

Above: The contents of my file folder to help me stay organized while I work.

Required Cell Cycle Phases:
Interphase - includes G1, S, and G2

G1 (Gap 1): Cell grows and continues with normal functions. It duplicates organelles. It prepares everything needed for DNA replication. One centriole is present from the last division. DNA is "unpacked" in thread-like form called chromatin.

S (Synthesis): Cell replicates all DNA.

G2 (Gap 2): Cell continues to grow and prepares for mitosis. A second centriole is present. Chromatin "packs" into chromatids.

Prophase - Chromotid pairs join to form chromosomes (two identical chromatids attached by a centromere). The nuclear membrane breaks down. Centrioles move toward opposite ends (poles) of the cell.

Metaphase - Chromosomes line up in the middle (equator) of the cell. Spindle fibers from the centrioles attach to the centromeres of every chromosome.

Anaphase - Chromatids of each chromosome split and are pulled by spindle fibers to opposite ends (poles) of the cell.

Telophase - The cells begin to pinch and new nuclear membranes form.

Cytokinesis - The cells divide. In an animal cell, a fiber ring splits the cells. In plant cells, a cell wall plate is synthesized between the two cells. At the end of cytokinesis, there are two new daughter cells.

Click HERE to Use the Google Doc for DRAWING the Cell Cycle

Helpful Links for Cell Cycle Research:

Control of the Cell Cycle Simulation Game
The Cell Cycle and Mitosis Tutorial
The Cell Cycle
Cell Division

How to turn-in your Cell Cycle Comic Project: Be sure to proof-read your comic before submitting. In Comic Life, choose File, Export. Export to images. Use your last name, first initial, and "Comic" as your file name. Choose your destination as the desktop or directly to a flash drive. Press the "Export" button. This will create a folder at the destination you choose. The folder will contain an image of every page in your comic file. Drag the folder to a flash drive and give it to your teacher. The teacher will put it on his/her computer. See below images to see the export steps. OR, if you have a color printer at home, you can print out your comic and turn it in that way.