What are cells?
As we have discussed in the introduction to this chapter, all living things are made of cells. Non-living biological matter, namely viruses, are particles and require other cells for their survival. But how are cells structured, and what functions do they carry out?
ACTIVITY: DIY cell
Creative-thinking skills: Use visual diagrams to generate new ideas; Make unexpected connections between ideas; Apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas
Design a structure that does the following things:
• is the basic building block for all living things
• is the site of metabolic reactions, such as respiration
• contains the genetic information of the organism
• may have to be used to help physically support the organism.
You will have worked out from this list that your task is to design a cell!
You will apply your scientific knowledge to solve the problem of the best design for a cell.
The design you come up with may be similar to or the same as how actual cells are structured, or be very different.
You will explain how your cell works, and link the design with its function. You need to draw a diagram of your design, and add labels to show how it works. Be inventive! Things to think about …
Type of organism
How large is your organism?
Does it have a backbone?
How will this affect the design of your cell?
Entry and exit
How do substances enter and exit the cell?
How does the cell control this?
Hint Think about how your organism will be supported.
Where is the genetic blueprint for the organism kept?
How might this be kept in one place and protected?
How and where is this information read and used to make the structural molecules of life (proteins)?
What chemical reactions will be needed for the cell and where will they take place?
Would all the chemicals for different metabolic reactions be mixed up together or separated?
Hint This may depend of the size of the cell.
Different types of cell may have to have different metabolic reactions (e.g. can your cell make its own food/sugar?)
Is the cell on its own or part of a bigger organism?
If it is on its own, how does it move? If it is part of a bigger organism, how does it get food, water, and oxygen?
Be as creative as you can. The cell you design may or may not look like cells you are familiar with, but must follow the rules outlined above. Do not forget to explain the relationship between the design of the cell and its function.
Assessment opportunities
• In this activity you have practised skills that are assessed using Criterion A: Knowing and understanding.