Cells - One of the basic requirements to determine if something is living...
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Robert Hooke discovered cells in
1665 by studying cork.
Did you know cork comes from a tree?
Cells - They are all around us, everywhere.
Everything we do in some way has to do with cells - If your Living!!!
There are two basic types of cells -
Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic
Let's start with Prokaryotic Cells...
Prokaryotic Cells
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Pictured here is one type of prokaryotic cell -
It is the most basic form of a cell - it does not contain membrane bound organelles, it is very quick to reproduce because there is very little to replicate and is not really organized. Inside you will find the basic pieces it needs to survive and reproduce.
So why the caveman?
Because the prokaryotic cell is primitive - like the caveman. Just the basics with no "extras."
They are very basic cells - so how do they move?
Cells move in multiple ways -
Cilia are hair like structures on the outside of a prokaryotic cell that help it move.
Cilia are hair like structures on the outside of a prokaryotic cell that help it move.
Cilia is like a whole bunch of rowers working together.
Another type of movement is by the flagella.
A flagella is a microscopic whiplike appendage that allows for movement.
So What Do Prokaryotic Cells Look Like? Think of Bacteria.
Here are the basic shapes...
Ok - So now you know how they move, what they look like and what they are made of.
How do they reproduce?
Easy. Binary Fission!
Ok - So Now Let's Move On To The Eukaryotic Cells!
Eukaryotic Cells
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Pictured here is an eukaryotic cell.
This cell has much more going on! This cell has all the parts, pieces and every accessory you can think of. The list of organelles is very specific and each has it's own task in order for the cell to work correctly. These are very advanced compared to the prokaryotic cell.
There are two main types of eukaryotic cells - plant and animal and there are major differences between the two.
The plant cell has specific parts to help it survive and perform it's functions.
Chloroplasts are like solar panels - they collect the energy from the sun and are green in color. They are not found in animals because animals do not photosynthesize. (If they did, imagine a green zebra!)
Vacuoles are like a school bag for a student. Things go into the beg and then come out when they are needed. They store water for the plant. (Imagine if trees could go to the water fountain!!!)
Cell wall of a plant is very much like the bones of a mammal. These give them structure - just like our bones do. As a kid my Dad used to tell his Mom he couldn't eat his salad because there were bones in the lettuce. He was kind of right! The cell walls are the bones of the plant.
This cell has much more going on! This cell has all the parts, pieces and every accessory you can think of. The list of organelles is very specific and each has it's own task in order for the cell to work correctly. These are very advanced compared to the prokaryotic cell.
There are two main types of eukaryotic cells - plant and animal and there are major differences between the two.
The plant cell has specific parts to help it survive and perform it's functions.
Chloroplasts are like solar panels - they collect the energy from the sun and are green in color. They are not found in animals because animals do not photosynthesize. (If they did, imagine a green zebra!)
Vacuoles are like a school bag for a student. Things go into the beg and then come out when they are needed. They store water for the plant. (Imagine if trees could go to the water fountain!!!)
Cell wall of a plant is very much like the bones of a mammal. These give them structure - just like our bones do. As a kid my Dad used to tell his Mom he couldn't eat his salad because there were bones in the lettuce. He was kind of right! The cell walls are the bones of the plant.
Pictured below is a website to practice the basics of cells...
Another GREAT website about cells, their function and how they work is called cells alive. There are games, puzzles, information and more all here.
So, now you know all the organelles. What about the membrane? Why is it such a big deal?
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The membrane controls who comes to visit!
It determines who. what, where, when, why and how of what is allowed in the cell.
Click below for an interactive demo on this part of the cell
How exactly do things move in and out of the cell?
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If the cell membrane says it is ok to come in there are a few steps to get through the gate...
Click below to watch an interactive demo on this concept.