Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function
Reading
Summary
We will take a look at the structure & function of the cell, the basic unit of life.
Labs that work well with this topic
- BJU Biology: Ch. 3 "Introduction to Cells"
- AP: OpenStax "Biology": Ch. 4 "Cell Structure" & Ch. 5 "Structure and Function of Plasma Membranes"
Summary
We will take a look at the structure & function of the cell, the basic unit of life.
Labs that work well with this topic
- Sheep's Heart Dissection: We have successfully used this lab for years as a launching pad for cells, tissues, components of blood, and the circulatory system. Plus it's a fun dissection!
- Diagnosing Diabetes lab. This is an excellent platform for learning cell structure and function.
- Enzyme Activity lab (fulfills AP lab #13). Looks at the enzyme 'Catalase' and the effects of concentration and pH.

3._cells_lecture_notes_2021.docx |

cellstructfunct slides - (best?) |

Cell Structure & Function slides.pptx |
Below: "Cell City" - it's helpful to think of the cell's components as parts of a city or factory
Pancreas diagram by a former student: We will studying diabetes and the pancreas in our Diagnosing Diabetes lab, which is a really good platform to learn about cell transport systems.
Cell Membrane videos
We will view some of these in class. Watch the rest of them on your own! They are short, just a few minutes each, and will give you a mental picture of what is going on in the cell membrane.
We will view some of these in class. Watch the rest of them on your own! They are short, just a few minutes each, and will give you a mental picture of what is going on in the cell membrane.

Lecture Slides: The Heart and Circulatory System |
Sheep's heart dissection lab
The lab report for the heart dissection involves taking *very good pictures* and then presenting them in an organized portfolio, with certain features identified with labels, boxes, and arrows. See the lab report instructions. Due date is on Canvas.
Important: Bring to the lab
The lab report for the heart dissection involves taking *very good pictures* and then presenting them in an organized portfolio, with certain features identified with labels, boxes, and arrows. See the lab report instructions. Due date is on Canvas.
Important: Bring to the lab
- A camera, or a smart phone with a camera.
- The lab handout below.
- The lab report instructions below.

4._heart_dissection_lab_handout.pdf |

4._heart_dissection_lab_report_instructions.docx |
Diagnosing Diabetes lab
Diabetes serves as an excellent launching pad for understanding cells & membranes, signaling molecules, and membrane transport mechanisms.
Diabetes serves as an excellent launching pad for understanding cells & membranes, signaling molecules, and membrane transport mechanisms.

Diagnosing_diabetes_complete_lab_handout.pdf |
Diabetes Research Assignment

3._diabetes_research_assignment_instructions 2022.docx |

3._diabetes_papers_-_student_examples.pdf |

3._diabetes_papers_-_more_student_examples.pdf |

3._diabetes_slides_-_very_good.pdf |

3._diabetes_-_meal_planning_guide_lilly_pharmaceutical.pdf |
"Cell Factory" assignment
Look at the student examples from prior years. DO YOUR OWN WORK.
Look at the student examples from prior years. DO YOUR OWN WORK.

3._cell_factory_assignment_2022.docx |

cell_city-factory-student_exemplars_.pdf |

More cell city_student_exemplars_.pdf |

cell_planet_student_exemplar.pdf |
Cardiology Virtual Lab
Simulation: www.biointeractive.org/classroom-resources/cardiology-virtual-lab
Instructions:
- Complete the virtual lab. Turn in the completed quiz which is contained in the simulation.
- Turn in the completed heart quiz, below.

_heart_quiz_.pdf |
Virtual Heart Surgery lab (Note: as of 1/1/2021 Adobe Flash is blocked on all major browsers, so this simulation is temporarily inactive)
Complete parts 1 and 2 and turn-in together
Complete parts 1 and 2 and turn-in together
- Virtual Heart Surgery
- Heart quiz (you can use the Internet and all the resources on this page to complete this - Khan Academy video, heart lecture slides below, etc)

_virtual_heart_surgery_assignment1.docx |
"Heart & Circulatory System" presentation
Presentation topic: "The Heart and Circulatory System".
This is to be a 5-6 minute PowerPoint presentation which you will give at an upcoming class. You can use PowerPoint, Google Slides, Prezi, and so on.
Your presentation should be suitable for a Biology class. Use correct Biology terms. Examples: you can make your presentation on things such as heart disease, pacemakers, artificial hearts, blood-borne infectious diseases (HIV, hepatitis B or C), how smoking and alcohol affect the heart, how SARS CoV-2 affects the heart and circulation, how the Covid-19 vaccines might affect the heart, recent developments in heart valves, how heart muscles work, the heart’s electrical system, cardiac tissue engineering, Sickle Cell Anemia, Leukemia, other diseases of the blood, new drugs or drugs under development, and so on.
Presentation topic: "The Heart and Circulatory System".
This is to be a 5-6 minute PowerPoint presentation which you will give at an upcoming class. You can use PowerPoint, Google Slides, Prezi, and so on.
Your presentation should be suitable for a Biology class. Use correct Biology terms. Examples: you can make your presentation on things such as heart disease, pacemakers, artificial hearts, blood-borne infectious diseases (HIV, hepatitis B or C), how smoking and alcohol affect the heart, how SARS CoV-2 affects the heart and circulation, how the Covid-19 vaccines might affect the heart, recent developments in heart valves, how heart muscles work, the heart’s electrical system, cardiac tissue engineering, Sickle Cell Anemia, Leukemia, other diseases of the blood, new drugs or drugs under development, and so on.

Heart & Circulatory System presentations - student examples |