Author

Barbara Avery

Title

Cell Cycle

Grade Level

9

Subject Area

Science

Overview of unit/lessons/activities (assumptions of prior knowledge/learning)

In the first lesson students will look at animal and plant cells in the different stages of the cell cycle. In this lesson, the diagrams of interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase and cytokinesis are labeled with descriptions of each phase. Students will examine these and take organized notes in chart form. Students should become comfortable with the different stages of the cell cycle and recognize the differences in animal and plant cells.

In the second lesson, students will use what they have learned about the different stages of the cell cycle to identify cells in various stages. 

Correlations to ICT and curriculum outcomes

Science

• Compile and display data, by hand or computer, in a variety of formats, including diagrams, flow charts, tables, bar graphs, line graphs and scatter plots (210-2)
• Calculate theoretical values of a variable (210-9)
• Illustrate and describe the basic processes of cell division, including what happens to the cell membrane and the contents of the nucleus (304-11) 

ICT Outcomes

• manage their electronic files and correspondence efficiently (BOC 9.4)
• use and create information texts in a range of media, using specialized text features of those media to support the communication, with teacher assistance (BOC 9.2)
• select appropriate measuring and recording devices and/or software to collect data, discover patterns of change over time, solve problems and  make logical decisions based on their investigations; with teacher assistance (RPSD 9.1)
• create and use electronic charts, maps, tables, graphs, spreadsheets, and databases to collect, analyze and display data independently (RPSD 9.2)

Projected timeline for preparation and for carrying out activities

2-3 one hour classes.

Equipment Requirements: (computers, software, etc)

• Computer with:

·           internet access

·           word processor (for students to record answers to computer simulation)

·           program (to do diagrams)

·           spreadsheet program (to do pie chart)

Teaching materials provided (Blacklines, worksheets, templates, teacher materials)

Student Sheet: The Cell Cycle in Plant and Animal Cells Web Activity (Word format) (pdf format)

Student Sheet: Mitosis Onion Root Tip Web Activity (Word format) (pdf format)

Resources available for teacher/student use (websites, references, etc)

The Cell Cycle in Plant and Animal Cells Web Activity (Word format) (pdf format)

• http://biog-101-104.bio.cornell.edu/BioG101_104/tutorials/cell_division.html 

Mitosis Onion Root Tip Web Activity (Word format) (pdf format)

• http://www.biology.arizona.edu/cell_bio/activities/cell_cycle/cell_cycle.html 

Diagrams for each stage of mitosis for cell scramble:

• http://www.maph49.galeon.com/mitosis/mitoan.html (contains diagrams for all stages of cell cycle however description is in Spanish)
•  

Descriptions for each stage of the cell cycle for cell scramble:

• Can use descriptions from http://biog-101-104.bio.cornell.edu/BioG101_104/tutorials/cell_division.html

Detailed instructions for each activity or lesson (teacher notes, activity information, learning strategies, teacher role, student roles)

See student handout: The Cell Cycle in Plant and Anima Cells Web Activity (Word format) (pdf format)

Students will login to the computer, go to email and get file (student worksheet that teacher will email to students), start the web browser, and type in the following address:

                       http://biog-101-104.bio.cornell.edu/BioG101_104/tutorials/cell_division.html

In the first part of this activity students will look at typical animal cells in the various stages of the cell cycle.  They will scroll over each stage and record the description of what is taking place in each phase of the cell cycle in a chart.  As well, they will use a paint program to include a drawing of each phase.  They will do the same thing for typical plant cells in the various stages of the cell cycle.  At the end of the activity students will do the 6 questions from the website as well as compare animal and plant mitosis using a Venn diagram.  When student is done they will save a copy to their user space and send the completed worksheet back to teacher or print off copy to pass in.

As a review, the students can complete a cell cycle scramble where they are given an envelope with each phase name, a diagram and description and have to match them up.

See student sheet: Mitosis Onion Root Tip Web Activity (Word format) (pdf format)

Students will login to the computer, go to email and get file (student worksheet that teacher will email to students), start the web browser, and type in the following address.

http://www.biology.arizona.edu/cell_bio/activities/cell_cycle/cell_cycle.html

This web page introduces students to the activity.  In this activity, the students will be presented with cells from the tip of an onion root. They will classify each cell based on what phase it is in. At the end the students will count up the cells found in each phase and use those numbers to predict how much time a dividing cell spends in each phase. When student is done they will save a copy to their user space and send the completed worksheet back to teacher or print off copy to hand in.

Student products expected

Students will complete the student worksheets for each activity, print it off and pass it in.

• See student handout: The Cell Cycle in Plant and Anima Cells Web Activity (Word format) (pdf format)
• See student sheet: Mitosis Onion Root Tip Web Activity (Word format) (pdf format)

Students will complete a cell cycle scramble.

Samples (include teacher notes, assessment information, student work if available)

Logistics (organization, grouping, management issues, access to technology)

Both computer activities can be done individually (depending computer availability)

Cell scramble can be done individually (depending number of envelope packages made up)

Assessment information (e.g., rubrics for products and/or process)

Possible extensions

Cross curricular connections:

• English class - Write a skit simulating mitosis and relate the skit to the phases of mitosis and describe each phase.
• Tech Ed – Perform and video tape your skit, and edit it using video software such as Pinnacle.
• Math – Problems involving making predictions of the number of cells that would be in each phase in different scenarios or graphing new given information.

e.g. – A biologist does a count of the number of cells undergoing cell division in an onion root tip.  The biologist observes 350 different cells.  Using the percentages you calculated from your Mitosis Onion Root Tip Web Activity, predict the number of cells you would expect to see in each phase.

• Social Studies – Research the history or development of the cell cycle. 

Adaptations for students requiring additional support