Asha Patel (Y10): Cells and Biology

As living organisms, we are made up of many different things. One of the most relevant things is cells. Cells make up all of our organs; for example, our skin, heart, brain and lungs. 

When learning about cells, we discussed the differences between plant and animal cells; such as the fact that plant cells have organelles such as cell walls to provide support and protection, and chloroplasts which produce energy through a reaction called photosynthesis. 

In the human body (and in other living organisms), we have lots of different types of specialised cells. What is a specialised cell? 

A specialised cell is a cell that has specific structures and completes certain functions. In the human body, we have many of these cells. Some examples of these specialised cells are: red blood cells, ciliated epithelial cells, and muscle cells. 

When we learn about cells, the most fun thing we do (in my opinion) is the microscope practical. In this practical we use forceps to peel off a very thin layer of the fleshy part of an onion. We then put this on the slide and stain it with iodine solution. After this, we use a microscope to observe the structures we can identify in the onion cell. Some noticeable organelles are the cell wall, vacuole, and nucleus which are all in plant cells. 

Now, you may be wondering, “why is all of this so important?” Or, “are specialised cells really a big deal?” But the truth is, they are extremely important. Cells are the building blocks of living organisms; including us humans, our pets, and plants. Specialised cells are the exact reason our body can do all the amazing things it can. If we were made of one type of cell, we would probably just look like a block of cells (which would not be the most desirable state for anyone). Our smell, sight, taste, touch, hearing, and many other things are all because of specialised cells. 

Throughout the curriculum, we learn all about the structure of cells and their features. We draw diagrams labelling the organelles and get very familiar with these features. We are introduced to specialised cells in term 1, and learn in depth about the cells in not just humans, but also plants. At first, it may not seem relevant to have this knowledge on cells, however, later in life it will be very useful for not just biologists, but doctors, forensic analysts, cancer researchers, and many other professions. 

In science at WA, we are encouraged to question certain concepts and investigate many different hypotheses with practicals. In Biology (and the other sciences), we learn about key information that teaches us how the world works, what makes us humans, what makes our species different from the many others out there but also, what connects us to the world around us.

Asha Patel - Year 10 Science Prefect