Skip to Main Content
  • Course Biology Global - for use with NGSS (NEW)
  • Unit 3 Cells
  • Concept 3.1 Cell Structure and Function

    • Cell Structure and Function

    Thinking about Cell Structure and Function

    A grizzly bear, like many other animals, prepares to hibernate in late fall. Unlike you and other humans, the bear will not eat or drink anything for a few months, so it must have a sufficient amount of energy stored up so that it can survive. How is it able to survive for this time period with no food or water? What does it have in its cells to help it make it through the winter?

    In grizzly bears and other living things, energy is stored in fatty tissue, also called adipose tissue. This tissue is mainly found just under the skin but can also be found in other areas of the body (such as between muscles and intestines). These fatty adipose tissue cells also help generate body heat to keep the bear warm throughout the very cold winter months. The cells in adipose tissue have a very specific function that is necessary for the bear’s survival. The cells are just one of many types that make up the body of the bear.

    A cell is like a business or factory in that it requires different departments to work together to perform a specific job or make a specific product. Cells contain thousands of microscopic components that are necessary to keep the cell working and functioning. Not all cells are exactly the same, either. Their structure varies according to where they are found, their age, and their function in an organism. For example, muscle cells in the human body have an elongated shape and contain cylindrical structures that can contract and relax. These processes of contraction and relaxation are what enable our bodies to move.

    Explain Question

    What kind of structures must a cell have that would be analogous to a modern business?

    An Automated Factory
    An Automated Factory
    What do you observe in this factory that is analogous to functions that a cell must carry out?

     

    Teacher Note

    Use this student response to evaluate students’ prior knowledge of the concept. The Model Lesson provides information on common student misconceptions.

    Your teacher wants you to resubmit.

    Screen Resolution - This interactive media is not optimized for the current screen resolution. To view the interactive, try changing your device orientation to a horizontal landscape view.
    List the kinds of structures, similar to a business or factory, that a cell must have to operate successfully.
    Press Space or enter key to Enter Text
     

    Before You Begin

    What do I already know about cell structure and function?

    Teacher Note

    This activity is intended to provide the teacher with feedback on prior knowledge of this topic. This should be used as a cooperative activity and be used for formative purposes.

    Your teacher wants you to resubmit.

    Screen Resolution - This interactive media is not optimized for the current screen resolution. To view the interactive, try changing your device orientation to a horizontal landscape view.
    Classify the following as a characteristic of prokaryotic, eukaryotic, or both by dragging them to the correct circle.
    • cell membrane
    • mitochondria
    • nucleoid
    • ribosomes
    • Golgi apparatus
    • vacuoles
    Incorrect Answer
    Correct Answer

    Teacher Note

    This activity is intended to provide the teacher with feedback on prior knowledge of this topic. This activity should be used as an individual activity and for formative purposes.

    Your teacher wants you to resubmit.

    Screen Resolution - This interactive media is not optimized for the current screen resolution. To view the interactive, try changing your device orientation to a horizontal landscape view.
    Which of the following best describes the differences between plant and animal cells?
    • A.
      <div use-dimensions="false" tinymce="true">Animal cells have chloroplasts, whereas plant cells do not.<br></div>
      Animal cells have chloroplasts, whereas plant cells do not.
    • B.
      <div use-dimensions="false" tinymce="true">Plant cells have cell walls, whereas animal cells do not.<br></div>
      Plant cells have cell walls, whereas animal cells do not.
    • C.
      <div use-dimensions="false" tinymce="true">Animal cells have a large vacuole, whereas plant cells have multiple vacuoles.<br></div>
      Animal cells have a large vacuole, whereas plant cells have multiple vacuoles.
    • D.
      <div use-dimensions="false" tinymce="true">Plant cells move freely, whereas animal cells cannot.<br></div>
      Plant cells move freely, whereas animal cells cannot.

    Teacher Note

    This activity is intended to provide the teacher with feedback on prior knowledge of this topic. This activity should be used as a cooperative activity and be used for formative purposes.

    Your teacher wants you to resubmit.

    Screen Resolution - This interactive media is not optimized for the current screen resolution. To view the interactive, try changing your device orientation to a horizontal landscape view.
    Which of the following are components of the cell theory?
    • A.
      <div use-dimensions="false" tinymce="true">All living things are made of one or more cells.<br></div>
      All living things are made of one or more cells.
    • B.
      <div use-dimensions="false" tinymce="true">The cell is the basic unit of structure, physiology, and organization in living things.<br></div>
      The cell is the basic unit of structure, physiology, and organization in living things.
    • C.
      <div use-dimensions="false" tinymce="true">All cells contain the same components.<br></div>
      All cells contain the same components.
    • D.
      <div use-dimensions="false" tinymce="true">Every cell arises from a preexisting cell.<br></div>
      Every cell arises from a preexisting cell.

    Find out More About...

    • classification of organisms
    • using a microscope

    Lesson Questions

    Back to Top
    Close Navigation x