Unit Name: What is the Difference?

Lesson Name: Plant and Animal Cells

Subject: Life Science
Grade: 7
Time Needed (Hours/Days): 147 Minutes 3 Class Periods
Author: Shayna Brown

Georgia Performance Standard:

S7L2b. Students will relate cell structures (cell membrane, nucleus,
cytoplasm, chloroplasts, mitochondria) to basic cell functions.

Fulton County School TAG Standard:

Advanced Communication Skills:
o The student produces written and/or oral work that is complex,
purposeful and organized, includes relevant supporting examples
and manipulation of language
Higher Order Critical Thinking Skills
o The student conducts comparison using criteria

Summary/Overview: The focus of this lesson is to understand the basic structure

and function and animal and plant cells and to distinguish between the two types of
cells.

Essential Question(s):
How are plant and animal cells organized to carry on the processes of life?
How does structure relate to function?
How do the structures of organisms enable lifes functions?

Enduring Understandings:
At the end of this lesson the student will understand:
Cells take in nutrients to grow, divide, and make needed materials.
Cells structure is related to cell function.
Cells are the basic building blocks of all organisms.
Plant cells and animal cells are similar.
Plant cells and animal cells are different because of their specialized functions.

Concept(s) to Maintain:
Students will understand that cells are the building block of life.
Students will understand the difference and similarities between plant and
animal cells.

Evidence of Learning:
What students should know:
Cells are the basic building blocks of all organisms.
Cells contain structures with specific functions to support cell life.
Organelles are consisted of: Nucleus, Chloroplast, Cytoplasm, Mitochondria,
Ribosome, Endoplasmic Reticulum, Golgi Body, Lysosome, Vacuole
Cell membrane (and the cell wall in plants) act as a boundary for the cell in
certain organisms
What should students be able to do?
Illustrate, describe and distinguish various organelles and types of cells.
Compare and contrast animal and plant cells and list similarities and differences.
Explain why animal and plant cells have some different organelles.

Suggested Vocabulary:
Cell
Organelles
Nucleus
Chloroplast
Cytoplasm
Mitochondria
Ribosome
Endoplasmic Reticulum
Golgi Body
Lysosome
Vacuole
Cell Membrane

Activating Strategy (for example: Hook/Mini-Lesson/Warm-Up/Connection to

Prior Learning)
Phase 1: Hook
The teacher will show pictures of electron microscope images of various cells on
the overhead projector.
The teacher will introduce the Microscope Mania Activity, where students will
look at various cell types under the microscope at various magnification, and
draw what they see.
Students will then label the circle on the Microscope Mania page with the name
of the specimen and total magnification of microscopes.

Phase 2: Description
Distribute the reading Animal and Plant Cells. Each student will be assigned to
read and analyze either the Animal Cell or Plant cell and then complete the
corresponding criteria organizer.
Teacher will pair students with similar assignments to discuss criteria organizer.
Teacher will then pair student with someone who completed the opposite
reading. (i.e. animal cells pair with plant cells and plant cells pair with animal
cells)
Students will individually do Cells Alive Web Activity and complete the
worksheet.

Phase 3: Conclusion
In a classroom discussion, groups will share general statements about the
structure and function of animal and plant cells. They will discuss the
similarities and difference and explain reasonings. Instructor will ask these
questions:
o Are animal and plant cells more alike or different?
o What is the most important difference?
 o What are the causes of the similarities and differences between the
cells??
o What are the effects of the differences in the plant and animal cells?
o What can you generalize from the similarities?
Phase 4: Application
Distribute Think-Tac-Toe to students. Each student will select and complete
one of the activities. Students understand that every time a Think-Tac-Toe is
assigned, they must choose three assignments that line up in a row or
column.

Assessment Strategies
Animal and Plant Cell Venn DIagram

Differentiation
Scaffolds/ Interventions/Extensions/Enrichment
Enrichment/Extension:
o Students will complete a reflection based on their analysis:
What are some general statements that you can make?
How can the structure of the animal and plant cells be compared?
How can you explain differences in each structure?
What universal functions do all cells have?
What specific functions do plant and animal cells have that causes
their differences?

Resources:

Microscope Mania
Animal Cells Worksheet
Plant Cells Worksheet
Animal and Plant Cells Venn Diagram
Cells Alive Web-quest
o www.cellsalive.com
Animal and Plant Cell Venn Diagram