Course: Block Biology Date:

Unit: Bundle 3 Title: Proteins and Enzymes

Objective:
-Students will investigate cell division and determine
what is happening in a cell at different points during
the cell cycle.
- Students will investigate obstacles a cell must
overcome to divide successfully divide.
Standards:
 HS-LS1-4: Use a model to illustrate the role
of cellular division (mitosis) and
differentiation in producing and
maintaining complex organisms.
 Science and Engineering Practices:
1) Constructing explanations and
designing solutions

Activities/Procedures: Review:
-Onion Root Lab -
- Mitosis ordering activity
- Sock Mitosis
- Mitosis PowerPoint/guided notes – why is mitosis
necessary?

Lesson Sketches: Cell Cycle and Mitosis

Day 1:
1) Connection to past material/exam
o Why do cells physically have to divide?
2) Refresh cell size/DNA limitation
3) Introduce cell division – mitosis

Activity: Mitosis Ordering

 Work with a partner to determine the order of mitosis in cells of a plant
 Describe reason for placing cells in order
o Refresh key features of a plant
 Make arguments for each case – why do students place cells in a particular order
 Work with students to determine a logical order
o Show students real-life dividing cell (pig kidney)
o Slow down video, point out steps

Activity: Onion Root Lab

 Locate cells in each “phase” of mitosis.
 Describe the DNA in each different phase
 Take a sample
o Sample 100 cells under the scope and determine whether they are in interphase or mitosis.
o Students will see that more cells are in interphase  cells spend more time in interphase
 What does a cell do in between mitosis?
 Why does it make sense they are spending more time in interphase?
 **These questions do not have to be answered just yet**
Activity – Sock Mitosis
 Students make a giant human cell – sit in a circle (senior area)
 Anticipate problems a cell will face in mitosis
o Students will work through the solutions and carry out the steps of mitosis
 Problems:
 There must be enough genetic material for 2 cells
 The genetic material is protected inside the nucleus
 Genetic material must be divided equally
o DNA condenses into chromosomes
o Chromosomes line up down the middle
 Cell needs correct number of organelles to function
 Cell membrane must divide without breaking/spilling contents
 Cell divides cutting itself in two – how does the cell not shrink every generation? (grows)

Day 2:
Why is Mitosis Important?
 Mitosis PowerPoint
 Why do cells divide?
1) For growth and development
a. How do plants grow?
i. Common misconception is that plants grow due to photosynthesis, but plants will sprout
even in the absence of light
ii. Plants grow due to the division of cells, just like any organism
2) For repair and replacement
a. Paper cut
b. Bone break
c. Salamander limbs
i. How do animals re-grow limbs and why can’t we video
d. Starfish
e. Replacing old cells
3) To reduce cell size
a. Refresh cell size limitations – DNA/less efficient