Topic 8 - Cells and Cell Systems

Suggested Time: 25 days

Objectives

Students will:

• describe the function and importance of the cell wall, cell membrane, nucleus, cytoplasm, chloroplasts, mitochondria, and vacuoles; and

• discuss why some organelles are found in both plant and animal cells, while some are found only in either plant or animal cells.

• identify and/or describe the general functions of the major systems of the human body.

• identify and/or describe how the major systems of the human body interact to maintain homeostasis.

• identify, compare, and/or contrast the types of infectious agents that affect the human body

• Items for this benchmark may include diagrams of systems and human body outlines.

• Items are limited to the human digestive, respiratory, circulatory, reproductive, excretory, immune, nervous, and musculoskeletal systems.

• Items will not assess the structures or functions of individual organs in isolation.

• Items assessing the interactions of systems to maintain homeostasis should include a reference to homeostasis and are limited to the organismal level.

• Items will not require specific knowledge of diseases that affect the human body or their causal agents.

• Items assessing infectious agents are limited to viruses, bacteria, and fungi.

• Items may assess the interactions of no more than three systems.

• define a scientific model as a visual representation that helps people gain a greater understanding of a scientific concept;

• explain how models can be used to study things that are too large or too small to see;

• discuss that models can be used to study objects from the past;

• compare and contrast mathematical and physical models; and

• apply knowledge to discuss the benefits and limitations of using models to study science.

Benchmarks Covered:

• SC.6.L.14.B

• The scientific theory of cells, also called cell theory, is the fundamental organizing principle of life on Earth.

• SC.6.L.14.C

• Life can be organized in a functional and structural hierarchy.

• SC.6.L.14.D

• Life is maintained by various physiological functions essential for growth, reproduction, and homeostasis.

• SC.6.L.14.1

• Describe and identify patterns in the hierarchical organization of organisms from atoms to molecules and cells to tissues to organs to organ systems to organisms.

• SC.6.L.14.2

• Investigate and explain the components of the scientific theory of cells (cell theory): all organisms are composed of cells (single-celled or multi-cellular), all cells come from pre-existing cells, and cells are the basic unit of life.

• SC.6.L.14.3

• Recognize and explore how cells of all organisms undergo similar processes to maintain homeostasis, including extracting energy from food, getting rid of waste, and reproducing.

• SC.6.L.14.4

• Compare and contrast the structure and function of major organelles of plant and animal cells, including cell wall, cell membrane, nucleus, cytoplasm, chloroplasts, mitochondria, and vacuoles.

• SC.6.L.14.5

• Identify and investigate the general functions of the major systems of the human body (digestive, respiratory, circulatory, reproductive, excretory, immune, nervous, and musculoskeletal) and describe ways these systems interact with each other to maintain homeostasis.