Topic One (1.1): Plant and animal cells

Topics Icon.png Objectives

By the end of this topic, you should be able to:

  • explain how our understanding of the structures in a cell have developed over time.

Revision Tasks Icon.png Retrieval starter question

To help you remember your previous learning, let’s start with a retrieval question:  

  • Can you describe the role of the nucleus?

Introduction Icon.png Introduction

In this topic, you will gain an understanding of how our knowledge of the cell has changed over time. Cells were not discovered until microscopes were invented. We now know that cells make up all living things and that they are made up of many organelles.

Interact Icon.png Working through your course book

Reactivate activity - optional

Before applying your knowledge to new concepts in this topic, you can check your understanding of previous concepts. If you want to check your understanding and reactivate your knowledge, please complete this reactivate activity:

  • Read page 20 in your Activate 3 coursebook and answer the Reactivate your knowledge questions at the top of page 22.

Apply your knowledge

You are now ready to apply your knowledge of cells and extend your learning. There are many structures in animal cells and plant cells. You may be asked to compare animal cells and plant cells in questions and you need to understand the function of each cell structure.

  • Watch this video to remind yourself about different cell structures:

  • Read page 22 in your Activate 3 coursebook.
  • Draw a labelled diagram of an animal cell and a plant cell.
  • Complete (only) the first two interactive quiz questions below. (You can check your answers by clicking the blue icon on the bottom right of the page.)

COMPLETE - (Question 1 & 2) Biology 3 Vocab Builder 1 (Kerboodle) Links to an external site.

Cells are very small hence they were not discovered until the invention of the microscope. The light microscope was invented first. The light microscope uses light to magnify an image. This type of microscope is used in schools to view cells and some larger cell structures. Later, the electron microscope was invented. In an electron microscope, a beam of electrons is used to magnify an image. An electron microscope can produce a 3D image at greater magnification, so very small structures can be seen.

Watch this video about the history of the microscope:

  • Read page 23 in your Activate 3 coursebook.
  • Use the resource below and page 23 in your coursebook to create a timeline of cell discoveries:

COMPLETE - 1.2 Support: Plant and animal cells  Worksheet (Kerboodle) [Not available on sample course]

  • Complete the Summary questions on page 23.

Stretch Icon.png Extension activities for this topic

Specimens can be prepared and viewed using a microscope. Watch the following video and think about how the cells are prepared and which stains are used:

EXPLORE - Watch Viewing and preparing cells under the microscope (Twig) [Not available on sample course]

Experiments Icon.png Practical

Your assignment has a practical associated with it and it may take some days to plan and complete this. To aid you with this, we are providing details of the practical and the questions at this point. We suggest that you have a look at it so that you can plan your investigation. Any questions you answer or results you note down before you download your assignment can be checked and copied across to your assignment. 

If you didn't studied Year 7 and Year 8 Science with Wolsey Hall then do have a look at Module Zero. Have a look at Tips For Investigations Download Tips For Investigations if you need a help with designing your table.

DOWNLOAD - Practical One Download DOWNLOAD - Practical One

Download Icon.png Check your answers

Now check your answers to the questions in this topic. The reactivate and summary question answers are both found in the ‘Student Book Answers’. The retrieval question answers are in the 'Topic question answers':

CHECK - Topic question answers - Module One (Kerboodle) [Not available on sample course]

CHECK - 1.2 Support: Plant and animal cells Worksheet answers (Kerboodle) [Not available on sample course]

CHECK - Student Book Answers – B3 Chapter 1 (Kerboodle) [Not available on sample course]