Background+Information

=Background Information=

All living things are made of cells. They are the basic structural unit of all living things (SEPA). Teacher will need to know what the main parts of a plant and animal cell are. Know what the main functions of the parts do. Teacher needs to know how much a 4th grade students need to know about the cells. @http://seplessons.org/node/772 Teacher will need to know how to prepare slides for investigation using a microscope. Teacher must have knowledge of how to use a microscope and be able to explain the basic features to students. Students will be looking at a plant cell and an animal cell (possibly an onion and cheek cell). The basic cell structure between animal and plant cells share many similarities and differences as well. There are many similarities among the two types of cells but the differences are what define if the cell is plant or animal. Cells are usually defined as the building blocks of life and also the factories that keep life going. The different structures can be brought up in more detail when introducing reproduction of cells and how they contribute to the work inside a cell. The teacher could help identify which is an animal or plant cell. **PARTS OF A PLANT CELL** __Cell wall__ - A rigid and strong wall that protects and maintains the shape of the cell. __Cytoplasm__- All organelles of a cell reside in the cytoplasm. __Nucleus__- The nucleus is the controlling center of a cell. It also contains the DNA for the cell. __Nucleolus__- Located inside the nucleus, the nucleolus produces RNA in the form of ribosomes. __Chromatin__- Part of the nucleus that contains most of the DNA of the nucleus. __Chloroplast__- An organelle that contains chlorophyll, which makes up the green substance in plants, and is where photosynthesis takes place. __Golgi Apparatus__- Prepares proteins and fats that are created in the endoplasmic reticulum for transport to the outside of the cell. __Mitochondria__- The main energy source for a cell. The mitochondria convert oxygen and nutrients into energy for the cell to use. __Ribosome__- Some are attached to the rough ER and are composed of RNA. __Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (Smooth ER)__ – Helps with transporting materials throughout the cell. It produces membrane proteins and digests lipids. __Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (Rough ER)__ – Covered with ribosomes, produces protein and transports materials throughout the cell. __Cell Membrane__- The cell membrane holds all the parts of a cell. Every cell is enclosed by a cell membrane. It controls the passage of materials in and out of the cell. __Vacuole__- Most plant cells only have one large vacuole. It is filled with fluid and helps to maintain the shape of the cell. **PARTS OF AN ANIMAL CELL** __Cytoplasm__- All organelles of a cell reside in the cytoplasm. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">__Cell Membrane__- The cell membrane holds all the parts of a cell. Every cell is enclosed by a cell membrane. It controls the passage of materials in and out of the cell. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">__Nucleus__- The nucleus is the controlling center of a cell. It also contains the DNA for the cell. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">__Nucleolus__- Located inside the nucleus, the nucleolus produces RNA in the form of ribosomes. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">__Chromatin__- Part of the nucleus that contains most of the DNA of the nucleus. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">__Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (Smooth ER)__ – Helps with transporting materials throughout the cell. It produces membrane proteins and digests lipids. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">__Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (Rough ER)__ – Covered with ribosomes, produces protein and transports materials throughout the cell. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">__Mitochondria__- The main energy source for a cell. The mitochondria convert oxygen and nutrients into energy for the cell to use. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">__Vacuole__- Helps with digestion by filling with food and waste material. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">__Lysosomes__- Digestion is the main function of Lysosomes. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">__Ribosomes__- Some are attached to the Rough ER and they synthesize proteins for the Lysosomes. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">__Golgi Apparatus__- Prepares proteins and fats that are created in the endoplasmic reticulum for transport to the outside of the cell. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">__Centrioles__- Divide into two parts during cell division and they assist in the cell division process. They are found only in animal cells. @http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/index.html 1. All living organisms are divided in pieces called cells. Cells are made up of proteins and organelles. The larger pieces are known as tissues and systems. Cells hold all of the biological equipment necessary to keep an organism alive. I think that this is very important to know, because students often think that cells are too small to be alive. The common misconception with children is that if you can't see it, it's not alive. 2. A cell's job is to organize. No living organism can be made up of one large cell. If animal cells were made up of one large cell, they would have no muscles and no brain. It is hard for children to embrace the amount of cells contained in a human body. It would be a great option for students to start outside of the human body and work their way in. It is good for students to have a visual instead of just a number. 3. There are many types of cells. In this section we will be working with plant-like and animal-like cells. Plant cells are easier to identify due to their protective structure called a cell wall. Plants also have chloroplasts and water filled vacuoles. Some cells, for example red blood cells in a human, are used to carry oxygen through the blood. Don't forget that you may encounter prokaryotic cells, which have no nucleus. The most common cells that will be talked about are eukaryotic cells. Eukaryotic cells are more complex and contain a nucleus. There is something that all cells have in common, they are surrounded by some type of membrane. A common misconception with students is that plant cells and animal cells have nothing in common. They are taught that plant cells and animal cells are different, but don't forget to show them that they can be the same. ANIMAL CELL PLANT CELL
 * Content Background for teacher: || **(Ramona)**
 * Misconceptions**:
 * All cells are the same.
 * They all have cell walls.
 * They all have chloroplasts.
 * Cells are things so they are not alive.
 * The microscope is easy to use.
 * **Parts of the Microscope**
 * __Arm__: Use the **arm** of the microscope to move it in place while placing one hand under the **base**for extra support.
 * __Base__: The **base**is the bottom portion of the microscope that it rests on.
 * __Light source__: The microscope has a built in **light source**called an illuminator.
 * __Diaphragm__: A condenser lens and the iris **diaphragm**(located below the stage) focus the light on the specimen so it is evenly illuminated. The lever located under the lens controls how much light enters the diaphragm.
 * __Stage__: The **stage**holds the glass slide with specimen in place with the help of stage clips.
 * __Focus knob:__ The **focus knob** located on the side of the microscope is used to zoom in close to see the details of the specimen. Most microscopes will have a **coarse focus adjustment knob**, controlled by the outer ring, and a **fine focus adjustment knob**, controlled with the inner ring.
 * __Objective lense:__ The **objective lenses**have varying magnifying abilities to view the specimen. The larger the number is on the objective lens, the greater the power to magnify the specimen.
 * __Eyepiece:__ The **eyepiece** at the top of the microscope, also called an ocular, is what you look into to view your specimen.
 * Using the microscope**
 * Plug the microscope in. Turn on the light switch; this is usually located on the bottom side of the microscope.
 * Make sure the stage is in its lowest position and gently place the prepared slide on it and secure with stage clips.
 * Begin with the lowest numbered objective lens and look through the eyepiece for the specimen.
 * Raise the stage as needed to locate the specimen. Try to center the item. Once it is in view and centered looking through the eyepiece you can raise the stage to get a closer view. Be careful not to touch the glass slide to the objective lens. You can try viewing through the higher numbered lenses for a closer look by turning the objective lens slowly towards the slide.
 * When you are finished viewing be careful when leaving not to trip on any cords and leave room for the next viewer to safely use the microscope.
 * Using a wet mount or a prepared slide:**Lay specimen on top of slide and add a drop of water on top of it. Place a coverslip directly on the specimen and water. Carefully place on stage and lock in place with clips.A prepared slide is placed directly on the stage and held in place with stage clips. [[file:Parts of a Typical Microscope.docx]]
 * (Rachel)**
 * (Whitney)**
 * [[image:scienceinaboxcells/Plant_Cell.JPG]] ||  ||   ||   ||