Unit 3: Cells

Students will begin to uncover the fundamental unit of life,

the cell. Students will study cells at the microscopic level
to determine how different types of cells are organized,
how cells process and exchange energy/matter, and will
uncover the processes necessary for different types of
cells to function properly.
Timing
Content Standards
CRS Focus
20 days
(~5
weeks)

Theme 1.
Determine the
different types of
cells and how
they are
organized:
BIO.A.1.2.1
Compare cellular
structures and their
functions in
prokaryotic and
eukaryotic cells.
BIO.A.4.1.3
Describe how
membrane-bound
cellular organelles
(e.g., endoplasmic
reticulum, Golgi
apparatus) facilitate
the transport of
materials within a
cell.
Theme 2.
Determine how
cells regulate
their internal
environments and
communicate with
the outside
environment and
other cells:
BIO.A.4.1.1
Describe how the

Theme 1. Compare a
table of types of cells
with a table of
cellular functions to
draw conclusions
about what types of
cells a scientist is
describing. Write
this as a fighting
scientist passage.

Theme 2. Compare a
graph of osmosis
data with a table of
osmosis data and
draw conclusions
about the data.

** WEEK 1**
SWBAT identify parts
of a cell and
describe their
function, what kind
of cell they are
found in, how parts
of a cell are
analogous to parts of
a building and a
picture of the
structure
**WEEK 2**
SWBAT : Identify
what makes
something living or
non-living. Identify
what all cells have in
common and
describe the major
difference between
prokaryotic and
eukaryotic cells
SWBAT Identify and
label several parts of
a light microscope
SWBAT identify and
label the functions
of the following
organelles (cell wall,
centriole, chloroplast,
cytoplasm,
endoplasmic reticulum,

structure of the
plasma membrane
allows it to function
as a regulatory
structure and/or
protective barrier for
a cell.
BIO.A.4.1.2
Compare the
mechanisms that
transport materials
across the plasma
membrane (i.e.,
passive transport
diffusion, osmosis,
facilitated diffusion;
and active transport
pumps,
endocytosis,
exocytosis).

Golgi apparatus,
lysosome,
mitochondria, nuclear
envelope, nucleolus,
nucleus, organelle,
plasma membrane,
plastid, ribosome,
vacuole, vesicle)
** WEEK 3***
SWBAT Examine the
structure of the cell
membrane by
creating a model.
Analyze the
properties of the cell
membrane, and
relate the structure
of the cell
membrane to its
function.

** WEEK 5**
SWBAT Define,
identify and describe
the function of a cell
wall, cell membrane,
endoplasmic
reticulum (smooth
and rough), Golgi
apparatus,
mitochondrion,
plastid (chloroplast),
vacuole and
lysosome. Identify
the differences
between prokaryotic
and eukaryotic cells
and plant and animal
cells.

SWBAT SOAP LAB

Examine the
structure of the cell
membrane by
creating a model.
Analyze the
properties of the cell
membrane, and
relate the structure
of the cell
membrane to its
function.
*** WEEK 6**
SWBAT Students will
review for the cell
exam

Assessments
Unit 3
Assessm
ent and
Perform
ance
Tasks

Unit 3
Literacy
Focus

Performance Tasks

Formative
The Cell brochure
(quizzes, exit
project

tickets,
homework)
Summative (end
of unit
assessment)
Vocabulary
Guaranteed
Supporting Words
Words (one word
(two words every two
every two weeks)
weeks)
1) Eukaryote
1) Animal cell, Plant cell
2) Prokaryote
2) Bacteria, Structure
3) Organelle
3) Functions, Location

Labs

Cell Membrane
Soap Lab

Reading Focus
Article Themes
(once a week)
1) Articles on
Mammals and
reptiles