Science Classroom Connection

All students will have an opportunity to assess themselves in terms of what they know about homeostasis and cell transport by taking a preassessment test that consists of twenty-seven questions to determine their knowledge of the subject matter thus far. 

Furthermore, students who were excused need to turn in their assigned work, and everyone will review Section 5.1 by answering the critical thinking questions page 102 (6-8) if they have not done so thus far.

We will reinforce the process of active transport based upon the processes of diffusion, osmosis and facilitiated diffusion; and be able to explain how ion channels play a key role in moving particles across the cell membrane. Moreover, students will be given three critical thinking questions to answer as a further reinforcement.

A living cell has certain characteristics in common with a working factory. In a factory, products are assembled according to specified plans, energy is used in the assembly process, products are packaged and taken out of the factory, and a supervisor directs and oversees all of the activities occurring in the factory.

1)  Draw a model of a factory, labeling areas where the following important activities would occur: main office where supervisor keeps the plans and oversees activities, assembly line, electricity generator, packaging center, and factory doors.

2)  Next to each of your labels, write the name of the cellular organelle or structure that has a similar function. Choose the cellular organelles and structures from this list: nucleus, cytoplasm, cell membrane, mitochondrion, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and vacuole.

Students will have an opportunity to observe their skin cells by a carefully selected method through the use of a piece of scotch tape, a forceps, a dye (BTB), a slide, a coverslip, and a microscope. Students are to follow the directions given in class to perform this activity. As they observe their skin cells, they are to draw and label the apparent organelles within a cell.